Raisin Hope at Reston with a GamJams Featured Photo

Many local racers already know that Craig "Doc" Clark suffered head trauma from a crash at the Jason Gundel Classic up in Wilmington a few weeks ago. You can check on Craig's status and leave him and his family a message of support at his Care Page here.

Craig races for Evolution Cycling. While Craig is recovering, the Evo show must go on. And that show is the Gold's Gym Reston Town Center Grand Prix, this Sunday, June 29th. It's one of the few events that sits on both the MABRA and VA-Cycling calendars so many of you are likely to be racing there. Many more really ought to come out and watch as it's one of the most spectator-friendly venues in the region, and a hoot of a race to boot.

What EVO is Doing:

While Evo has your attention at the race, they're going to divert it to the Raisin Hope Foundation, for which they're promoting awareness and, more importantly, raising some funds.

Pretty cool, right? They're out raising awareness and money within the cycling community. We should be proud that they've taken on this initiative.

What You Will Do:

Only it doesn't work if you don't actually contribute some money while you're there. This isn't the responsibility of some vague "racing community." You are the Racing Community. So bring some money, or win some, or otherwise be prepared to appropriate some. And be ready to part with it. The Reston race positively rocks, and if for no reason other than that, you ought to pony up $20 bucks while you're there. But you're not just thanking Evo for the race - you're contributing to a cause that benefits one of our own. Many of our own, sadly.

What You will Get for it:

The good news for you is that you're not just giving away money. Each donation buys you into the raffle, and Evo has assembled some pretty cool prizes:

• "Tour De Life" book about Saul Raisin, signed by Saul
• Authentic Credit Agricole cycling cap, signed by Saul
• HealthNet Team "Collection" -- Jersey, Cycling Cap, and Matt Cooke Racer Card signed by Matt Cooke
• $50 Gift Certificate to Bicycle Pro Shop
• 10 GamJams Water Bottles
• GamJams Featured Photo Prize -- Get your Featured Photo on GamJams for one week

Since you're reading this on GamJams, you probably know that the Featured Photo is the picture at the top of every page that gets updated each week. Win that raffle prize and I'll run whatever picture you choose for a week - one of yourself winning (or not winning), one of a teammate, your team logo - I'll even create a photo montage of all your teams' sponsors' logos if you want to give them props for the week. Whatever you like. Over the course of the week it will get about 15,000 views, so choose wisely.

Evo also has 75 autographed Saul Raisin Credit Agricole Racer Cards with his palmares on the back (in French). These go to the first 75 contributors so get there early and hit the Evo table before you even pick up your number.

Finally, the Brain Injury Association of Virginia has provided some 100% awesome kids' BMX/skateboard helmets (pictured at right), which will also be raffled off. No donations are required to participate in this separate raffle, but if you only do this raffle without giving anything to the Raisin Hope raffle, you're a boob.

Recap:

• Evo is raising money for Raisin Hope
• You will contribute said money
• You might win a cool prize
• You will probably not win at Reston, but this will make you feel good about your day anyway

Oh, and if you want to contribute but won't be at Reston, contact Mitch Ferro at Evo.

Comments

[Kyle]

Thanks Mike for doing this.

[Brian Cheung]

Doc has impacted the lives of countless people in the MABRA community. He is, without a doubt, one of the most selfless human beings and competitors I have ever met. He has always been there when the cycling community has needed him; let's show him it wasn't all in vain.

[Jeff Smith]

Awesome job Mike and Mitch, great use of this podium to reach out to those with the most vested interest. Now like Mike said, pony up the $$$$

[Whopper]

This is a great cause in general, but especially for cyclists. There but for the grace of God go I...

[Heidi]

I'm curious... Does this donation go to Craig Clark in any way, or is it just for a good cause? Not that I wouldn't mind giving to a good cause, but I'd like to know where the funds are going to end up in any case...

[Mitch]

The donation goes to Raisin Hope and from there to programs related to brain injury research and rehabilitation. Per Saul: "As for the percentage of money given back to programs, I am proud to say that we keep a percentage in our account that we are required to keep to maintain the foundation and the rest goes back to programs like- Shepherds Hospital, Camp Twinlakes, etc. My wife and I also incur most of the operating costs such as paying for business cards and paper, etc. because we do not believe people's donations should go to those items. A small percentage of the money raised from the event would go to the Raisin Hope Foundation to maintain the account (money we can't touch) and the rest can be directed at an organization you choose."

We plan to discuss w/ Doc's family what organization(s) they'd like the funds directed to through Raisin Hope.

While the money will not go to Doc, it will go to fund programs directly related to what he is experiencing right now.

Thx,
- Mitch

[Mitch]

BTW, if you go to www.saulraisin.com and click on "Raisin Hope Foundation" you can find a little more info, as well as links to some of the organizations that the foundation has helped fund to date.

- Mitch

[Lorena]

Thanks for posting this! I am sure there are probably plenty of others, who like myself, got so caught up in the FUN race that we forgot to go contribute back to what the race is supporting. Thanks for the second chance and not-so-gentle reminder about giving back. This blog really helps tie together our cycling community. Thank you Mike.