Attached is an image of a solicitation letter sent. The Closer to Free event is 1 of 2 events that I volunteer for,donate to and raise funds for. I have been involved since the first year of this event. I have assisted in marshaling the ride event, and have attempted to organize and bring Closer to Free cyclists to monthly training rides. I am honored to be a part of this event. I feel strongly about it and believe strongly that we (humanity) need to do what we can to fund research for this horrible disease that has taken so many of our loved ones from us. I have lost family, friends, coworkers and fellow cyclists to this disease. I can not do much more than raise awareness and solicit funds through all that I am able to contact. Last year our small team C4C (cycle for cures) raised over $20,000 for this event. The event itself raised over $2,200,000.00 (2.2 million). As a team we presented ourselves at parades, we mailed fliers, we trained by spinning in place in front of grocery stores, etc. We (team C4C) thank you for helping us (through donations) make a difference by funding research to eliminate,destroy cancer. We give dedicate our nights and weekends to train for the event while soliciting to reach our required minimums. As a team we will join 1,800 cyclists on September 9th to cycle 25, 65 or 100 mile routes. The routes are challenging, but not as much a challenge as dealing with cancer. We cycle together with closer to free jerseys, spreading the word that something needs to be done.
As Ride day Marshal CoCaptain, my volunteer job for this event (along with 40 other marshals) is to assure safety of each and every cyclist. We Marshals (cyclists in orange) set a pace, call out hazards, ride and show by example proper cycling etiquette, rules of the road, etc. We are first responders to flats or other cycle issues. We watch each cyclist and provide pointers, inspiration and a helping song or two to get them to the next rest stop. We marshals preride the course several times (weeks in advance ) to familiarize ourselves with the roads and to caution each other about any road hazards.
As a family we also have rest stop volunteers. these are the sandwich makers, fruit cutters, juice and water suppliers, etc. every 20 miles has a rest stop. The C4C family will be in Chester which is located at mile 60 of the 100 mile route. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and ice cold gatoraide is a life saver during the challenging courses.
In summary, we volunteer for this event as a family. We volunteer to help 1,800 cyclist cross the finish line with strength as well as safely. Along the way (months before), we train, we make ourselves stronger, mentally, physically, socially, etc. Through training we strengthen ourselves as well as meet new cyclist, hear new stories, etc. Through solicitation we reach out a little further every year and meet new friends and sponsors along the way. If it were not for new friends and new sponsors, we couldn't make this event the success that it has become. The success of this ride is crucial in making us, our children, and our childrens children Closer to Free of Cancer.
Edward A. Barros
