RATPOD 2020 Won’t be a Live Event but You Can Still Help
It's been a rough stretch for a couple of events that benefit Camp Mak-A-Dream. First, the 2020 Missoula Lip Sync Battle was postponed before eventually being cancelled. Now, the camp's biggest fundraising event of the year is being seriously altered. RATPOD (Ride Around The Pioneers in One Day), a cycling event that consists of participants raising funds for Camp Mak-A-Dream, won't hold a live event for the first time in 19 years.
It seems like every business, event, concert, service, school and more has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It really hurts for Camp Mak-A-Dream because both events are counted on to provide funds for visitors to the camp. If you're not familiar, a glance at the Camp Make-A-Dream website describes it as a place that "provides a cost-free, intimate Montana setting for survivors and their families to develop lasting relationships and gain resiliency."
Ok, back to RATPOD. The good news is they'll still attempt to raise funds, it just wont be with the typical 130-mile bike ride that participants are used to. And, the better news is anyone can sign up and help raise money.
Camp Make-A-Dream is a pretty amazing place that provides peace of mind for families in their toughest time. Read the press release below for all the details and info on how you can participate in RATPOD.
RATPOD (Ride Around The Pioneers in One Day) is now RATPOD Unlimited!
For the first time in 19 years, to protect the health of our volunteers, our riders and staff, we are making the difficult decision not to hold RATPOD as a live event.
On June 20th, we will still ride. But now, you can ride any distance you choose, any bike you choose, anywhere you are around the world - all in support of Camp Mak-A-Dream! We're calling it RATPOD Unlimited - Your RATPOD, Your Way! Not a cyclist? You can still participate!
• Ride….a bike, a tricycle, a motorcycle, a skateboard, a golf cart, a horse
• Run, walk, hike or skip if you wish
• Float, paddle or swim
You participate any way you want! It’s UNLIMITED!
WE NEED YOU! RATPOD is the single largest fundraiser for Camp Mak-A-Dream and literally makes Camp possible. While the look of Camp may change somewhat this summer, the resources needed to support those fighting a cancer diagnosis does not. Our team remains committed to finding new ways to lift up our Campers and continue to provide support to those affected by cancer, now and into the future! In fact, our very first Virtual Camp took place last weekend!
The loss of support from not having a live event will impact Camp greatly. Our goal is to supplement this loss by raising at least $150,000 with RATPOD Unlimited!
To participate all you have to do is signup. Your sign-up fee is a direct donation to Camp. In addition, you will also be able to start a fundraising page, show how much you love Camp and, for the first time ever, earn prizes like our riders have:
• All participants who raise $100+ earn a 2020 RATPOD t-shirt
• Raise $250+ earn a pair of custom RATPOD socks
• Raise $500+ earn a 2020 Standard RATPOD jersey
• Raise $1,000+ earn a 2020 Yellow RATPOD jersey
We will give out prizes for a variety of categories…including most money raised, most creative vehicle or vessel used, most ambitious route, youngest and oldest participants, most family members taking part and more!
Be ready for a variety of virtual celebrations leading up to the event and throughout the course of the day on June 20th - including the traditional cowbell kickoff! Who knows? Depending on where you are, you may even see some Camp faces cheering you on roadside. And we'll be counting on you to document your "ride" by sharing photos, videos and all the fun with us as you participate on June 20th!
Contact:
Kim McKearnan – Camp Executive Director, kim@campdream.org
Courtney Imhoff – Event Manager, courtney@campdream.org
KEEP READING: See how sports around the world have been impacted by the coronavirus
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