'Portland or Bust'
Ride for the United Way
July 15, 2006 marks the date I will be cycling 317 km or 204 miles from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon in one day. My pedal-pushing efforts are in aid of the United Way, and I hope to enlist your support financially to reach a target of $50,000. This means I will need to raise $157.73 each kilometer or $245.10 each mile to meet my goal. I chose the $50,000 target in the hopes of doubling the amount raised a couple of years back during another of my campaigns for the United Way. For that campaign my challenge was to shave my head if my clients, co-workers, friends and family raised greater than $10,000 in thirty days. As the following photos illustrate, the target was not only matched but in fact beaten to raise $23,370 and I indeed became hairless.
Before
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After
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The reasons that motivated me to ask for your support then are even more relevant now. On a related note, the Government of Canada's 2006 Budget on May 2, 2006 made donating listed securities a lot easier. I am quoting the Budget 2006 Overview from the CCRA website: "To encourage charitable giving, Budget 2006 exempts donations of publicly listed securities to public charities from capital gains tax, effective immediately."
This is another great way to donate and get tax relief as well.
About the United Way
For more than 75 years United Way has supported a broad range of vital social services throughout the Lower Mainland.
Our community is growing and changing. Resources are stretched to their limits. Help is not consistently available throughout the Lower Mainland. Strong communities offer support for all families, whether they include children, seniors, immigrants and newcomers, or those at risk of homelessness. United Way acts to prevent problems and create lasting solutions for people.
United Way can’t do this alone. Together, we power positive change and create hope for a better tomorrow, right where we live.
'Portland or Bust' Updates
May 8/2006
Seattle to Portland for the United Way
Some of you may have heard a rumor I was planning to complete a major sporting event this year and you would be correct. Having completed 10k's, 1/2 marathons, marathons and duo-athlons over the years I felt a real challenge was in store. Challenge from the standpoint of moving 220+ lbs around for any length of time in any activity is a challenge! Late Fall of last year I had an idea I wanted to do something that would physically be greater than any event I had undertaken to date. More importantly I felt a need to raise the profile and funds towards contributing outside of my immediate circle of life.
I am pleased (mortified?) to report I found both. On July 15, 2006 I will be cycling from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon in one day on my road bike.
It is for this reason I would reiterate that donating to charity either via cash or securities is a great way to support great causes but also improve your tax situation.
The Federal Budget brought down May 2, 2006 specifically states, 'To encourage charitable giving, Budget 2006 exempts donations of publicly listed securities to public charities from capital gains tax, effective immediately.' Wow, donate stock, pay no capital gains tax and get a tax deduction from the charitable donation.
If you have any additional questions or comments feel free to call/email me directly.
May 16/2006
UPDATE: Portland or Bust
Just a brief note to keep you abreast of new developments as they occur. Many of you have been inquiring about the donation of stocks, bonds, mutual fund holdings etc. in lieu of cash. Coincidentally, Jamie Golombek - Vice President Tax & Estate Planning, AIM Trimark Investments, wrote a piece on the weekend regarding donations of mutual fund units with large capital gains illustrating the net benefit to the donor. I have included a PDF of the article as it is very easy to understand and applies not only to Mutual Funds but stocks and bonds as well. I urge you to read it.
Another point around making donations to my ride, is that although the United Way is the primary focus of the campaign it need not be the only beneficiary of your donation. For a small fee the United Way can direct your donation to the registered charity of your choosing i.e.. Heart and Stroke, Parkinson's, Cancer Society etc. It has been a real plus having many of you sponsoring me by contributing a mile or kilometer ($245.10 mile or $157.73 km).
My training definitely came up a notch Saturday as I participated in my first 'Century Ride', that is a race of 100 miles in length. I completed it in 06:20 h and that is the longest distance I have rode to date. Prior to Saturday the longest I had ridden was 104 km. The race was very scenic tracking a route through the Skagit Valley in Washington State, I even saw an eagle.
Having never cycled to any degree prior to 3 months ago it seems every training ride is a new experience. As usual, if you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me directly.
June 19/2006
Seattle to Portland-27 days and counting down
Saturday was overcast and threatening to rain as I lined up to complete my last 100 mile (Century) training ride in Redmond, Washington (5 minutes from Microsoft's HQ). Fortunately the rain did not come and by mid afternoon it was bright and sunny. The 'Flying Wheels Century' is billed as an excellent proxy for the Seattle to Portland ride in July and as a result participation is heavy at my estimate of about 2000+ cyclists. I completed the ride in 06:10h which was faster than my first 100 mile race and the course was quite a bit more difficult. The scenery was incredible and aside from dropping my water bottle four times, very enjoyable.
To date I have commitments of $3285 or 13.4 miles, this would take me from the University of Washington almost to Renton. What this means is I need to raise $46,715 to complete the additional 190.6 miles remaining to get me to Portland. The United Way of the Lower Mainland is opening an account with me so those inclined may donate stock etc., with me for direct deposit into the United Way account. and I will let you know as soon that is completed. For those that were early to donate, thank you, and to those waiting, there is no time like the present.
Portland here I come!!!!!!!!!
The conclusion of the Seattle to Portland (STP) Challenge
23 July 2006
It has been over two weeks since I completed the 204 mile – 328 km bicycle ride from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon. What a terrific journey it has been a since I began training on February 1 of this year. I would encourage anyone contemplating the seemingly impossible to stretch their comfort zone. You never know what you are able to do until you try.
The primary purpose was to complete the race in one day but an equally important goal was to also raise funds for the United Way of the Lower Mainland. My fundraising goal was $50,000 and although the goal wasn’t met, the United Way will garner an additional $19,000 (approximately) more than before all of you chose to support me. This works out to $93.14 per mile, $57.93 per km, $1437.58 per hour, $23.96 per minute or about $0.3993 per second!
The monies raised will go towards strengthening foundations for children, youth and families, supporting people living with health conditions and disabilities, assisting people living in poverty and helping seniors be healthy and connected. These are all areas that require ongoing support but the financial support provided by all of your donations goes a long way. In short, every one of your donations makes a huge difference to the quality and dignity of those supported by these programs. Money is still coming in and once I have an overall grand total, I will pass it on.
The race itself has a 27-year history and to provide a snapshot this is what the 2006 race looked like:
RIDER STATISTICS
A total of 8,907 registered riders, of which 2,156 finished in one day!
Age:
46 riders are over 70
Oldest: 86
Oldest Male: 86
Oldest Female: 76
Youngest: 1
28 under 10
Times Ridden:
53% first timers (4707)
15% ridden 1 time (1306)
2 ridden 26 times, 1 25 times
21 ridden 20 times or more
Food Consumption:
At a Food Stop 55 miles into the race (this was one of six throughout the race)
9,400 sandwiches
8,000 cookies
6,000 Cliff Energy bars
3,000 bagels
18,000 servings of fruit (bananas, grapes, plums, etc.)
900 gallons of Ultima Sports Drink
In closing, I would again like to thank all of you who provided support, both moral and financial. As well I would like to thank my fiancée Niamh who indulged me and was my biggest fan, Haywood Securities/Capital Markets who provided a positive environment and support, and to the folks at the United Way of the Lower Mainland for all of their efforts to make the event a success.
The opportunity to make a difference is always a choice well taken.
Thank you.
Aaron
