I just want to share, and perhaps brag *just* a little, about the bike-a-thon fundraiser I helped organize again this year at my sons' school. It was this morning, and it was a huge success! This was the 4th year we've had it, and it grows a bit each year, and we streamline it a bit each year too. And once again, the weather gods smiled on us and the rain held off until after school got out! Hurrah!
I've been working on it since July and am ready to collapse after a cocktail tonight once the boys are in bed. The kids ride .12-.4 mile laps around the streets near the school, in waves of 15-25 minutes, based on their grade, and collect pledges from neighbors and relatives that go to support our school Foundation. The Foundation raises money to pay for additional teaching positions that the cash-strapped district can't cover, and 1/3 of the money we raise goes to an Equity Fund that other schools in the district that don't have Foundations can us to apply for grants. This year, we're using Foundation funds to pay for part of an extra 2nd grade teacher so there are 24 kids in the classes instead of 32, and to keep full-time PE, and we just got a part-time music teacher too. So even though it's exhausting, it's well worth the work it takes :)
We work with the city to get a permit to get the streets closed to cars, and get the neighbors to move their cars from the streets for the duration of the event. Thankfully, the neighborhood is VERY supportive of our little elementary school, and are generally happy to comply. And we have upwards of 130 volunteers during the course of the event, checking in bikes, checking helmet fit for the kids, getting the kids from their classrooms to the course, tallying laps, distributing snacks, manning the 1st aid booth (which wasn't used *too* much, though there were a handful of crashes unfortunately - thankfully(?), it was *my* son who had the bloodiest visit after someone weaved in front of him and he wiped out after hitting the front brake a bit too hard - oops!)
So far, it looks like we've raised about $15,500, but that will likely go up - a number of people turned in the permision slips but didn't submit their pledges in advance. And 81% of 457 students rode their bikes or scooters for 3244 laps this morning, collectively riding 1140 miles, which is about the distance of Portland to San Francisco, roundtrip! Woot!
I'll post some pictures later once I get them from other parents (I was too busy riding around, putting out mini-fires and checking on things to take any), but it was too cute, especially the 75 kindergartners. They're so excited about riding, it's ridiculously adorable.
