Big Ride Fundraising

Dear Friend:

As 2010 is well under way, we are all inevitably consumed with our daily lives, families, and work (I know I sure am)! But remember to stop and take a deep breath of fresh air. In fact, take several because you CAN! If you are like most fortunate people you breathe through your lungs about 2 gallons of air a minute. That is about 3,000 gallons of air, or 20,000 breaths a day. And if you are like me sometimes, you may not even notice.

But many people do notice because if you can't breathe, nothing else matters! Asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, or tuberculosis can make breathing a challenge. To aid in conquering this challenge, I have accepted a challenge of my own. I have agreed to bicycle cross-county as a fundraiser for the American Lung Association® in Washington. Starting in June, 2010 I will be joining the American Lung Association® in the Big Ride Across America.

This ride for clean air will require that I pedal 3300 miles in seven short weeks. That is correct! I will be joining approximately twenty-five other riders who will cross the USA by human power alone. We'll ride six days per week, averaging eighty-three miles each day.

But yes, you guessed it, I need your help. I need to raise $6,000 by June 1 in order to be on the team. The great news is that your 100% tax-deductible donation will be going to an outstanding cause. Here are examples how your donation will be used and why I ask for your gracious assistance for the 2010 Ride Across America (or Marks Ride For Clean Air).

1) Fight Lung Disease

2) Treat Childhood Asthma (it affects more than 6-million children)

3) Reduce Air Pollution

Every dollar is valuable when raising funds for such a worthy cause! You can sponsor in whichever payment type is most convenient for you: check or credit card. Your checks should be made payable to American Lung Association and returned to me so that I can submit them with credit toward my fundraising goal. If you prefer to give by credit card, use the link on the top upper right of this page to get to my fundraising page at the American Lung Association site.

Any assistance is much appreciated! (Again, look for the fundraising link on the top of the green box to the right)

* $33 One penny per mile
* $48 One dollar per riding day
* $100 Three cents a mile
* $500 Wow!

Thank You. And please, pass this on to a friend.

Gratefully yours, Mark