By: Elaine Beale, BORP Director of Development

The Revolution is a critical part of BORP’s fundraising activities, raising about 20% of our budget each year. But this year, when the pandemic forced us to go virtual, we were worried about the event’s success. Fortunately, the Revolution 2020 has been a story of a community rallying together to support BORP during this difficult time!

There are so many examples of people who contributed that it’s impossible to list them all here. But just one example is the TBB Team, captained by BORP board member, Al Spector. Like many members of our board, Al was concerned about BORP’s finances given the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. When he mentioned the idea of forming a Revolution team to other board members, several immediately said, “I’m in!” Al also recruited some friends new to BORP. Soon there were 18 members of the TBB team. Together, they raised more than $20K to support BORP!

Says Al, “We made our team effort as inclusive as possible. Some members did the virtual classes and others cycled. Eleven of us cycled together, with most of that group doing a 10-mile ride from Sausalito to Mill Valley. It was a really fun day!”

Another team, Special Need for Speed, led by Brad Frazee, rode together over two days, raising over $14,000. And SA Photonics sponsored its own corporate team, raising over $20,600 for BORP. The Piedmont Peloton, led by BORP’s executive director, Rick Smith, raised almost $16,000, and the Veloraptors, led by Steven Goldberg and Stephen Blair raised more than $15,000. Amazing contributions from them all!

Other teams that helped make the event a success include: the DFL’s led by Don Hunt; the Essential Wheelers, led by former BORP staffer, Betsy Dorsett; and Bring it On, led by current BORP staffer, Bonnie Lewkowicz; and so many more!!

Of course, we want to acknowledge outstanding individual fundraisers such as Will Randleman (number one fundraiser for the 4^th year in a row!!), Carrie King, Jonathan Newman, Cynthia Noonan, Rona So, Jason Harris, Dawn Nakashima, Mark Webber, Steven Baronian, Debra Meyerson, Steve Zuckerman, Grayson Holden, Brandon Wong, Bruno Hester, and Hydeh Ghaffari.

And to all those who participated and took the step of asking their friends and family for support. No matter how much you finally raised, we are so grateful that you joined us!

Thanks have to be shared with some key individuals who helped with planning and implementation of the event, like Cynthia Noonan, Tina Ybarra (who also led three ‘Rumba with Tina’ classes over the Revolution weekend), Kristi Hruzewicz, Lori Gray (who also led the virtual hike), Leo Siecienski and Sarah-Dawn Smith. Additional thanks go to all the amazing instructors of the virtual classes—JanpiStar, Ralf Somack, Rachel Kahn, Nancy Yates, Carino Ho, Brent Kobs, Conner Lundius, Krishna Christine Washburn, and Kimm Ropicky. And a big thanks to Ryan Hussey, who led the virtual climb.

Jill Gorman, BORP’s development associate, did an incredible job managing logistics and taking care of so many organizational tasks so that the virtual classes and activities ran smoothly. We’re also indebted to Jill’s husband Tagg and son Kyle who did such an awesome job of producing our launch and celebration videos. The Gorman family was definitely in the house!

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the 1,300+ donors who gave so generously to support BORP’s work. And our corporate sponsors—Anthem Blue Cross, SA Photonics, McGuire and Hester, Clark Construction, Sutter Health, Waste Management, Fidelity Insurance Service, Columbia Sportswear, and Clif Bar—really stepped up with outstanding contributions this year.

All in all, the Revolution 2020 was a true community effort!! Here at BORP, we are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, money and/or energy. THANK YOU!!

While we’re sad that the Cycling Center is currently closed, we’re using the time we have wisely. We’re taking this opportunity to make some major repairs on our 150+ bicycles so they’ll be in tip-top shape when we reopen!

We’re making a plan for facility maintenance and upkeep that we can complete during the closure. Additionally, we’re in close contact with our neighbors, Waterside Workshops, and are working together to keep an eye on the shared property. 

We’re also looking for ways to help participants keep active and connected. If you want to reach us, call 510-848-2930 or email Cycling@borp.org. 

Through its Active Fund, the Kelly Brush Foundation provides grants for individuals with spinal cord injury to purchase adaptive sports equipment. Past awardees have purchased handcycles, monoskis, sport chairs, racing chairs, hockey sleds, and much more. Next deadline, March 31, 2020.

On January 25, the staff and students of Miramonte High School held a wheelchair basketball tournament to benefit BORP. Together, they raised over $8,000 to support BORP’s youth programs!

Big thanks to all of them, in particular Chris Lavdiotis, Skip Tague and Nicole Meredith! All of us here at BORP appreciate your hard work!

Every year, 400+ youth and adults with disabilities use BORP’s Adaptive Cycling Center. To keep this amazing resource running, we need to raise $235,000 this year.

That’s why we’re launching the 2020 BORP Cycling Center membership drive. If you use the Center, or believe it’s a valuable place for our community, become a member today. Suggested annual membership is $100.

Everyone giving at the $100 level and above will receive a BORP Water Bottle when you next visit the Cycling Center.

Memberships are optional donations and we never turn away anyone for lack of funds.

The Center had limited winter opening hours, but starting March 3, it’ll be open Tuesdays, Thursdays (12-7) and Saturdays (9-4).

Many national parks are quite accessible and make for a great vacation destination, but you need to plan early to stay in the parks.

Great resources to help you get started are the newly released guidebook, Barrier-Free Travel: National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers, by Candy Harrington and an online Outside Magazine article about the best 25 accessible trails in the U.S.

And don’t forget to apply for your National Parks America the Beautiful Access Pass that offers discounts to qualified persons with disabilities.

For accessible N. CA travel ideas & info, check out Access Northern California.

The REV brings together adaptive and non-adaptive cyclists in a fabulous, fun event that raises about $200K to support all BORP’s programs. This year’s ride will be held on Saturday, September 21 at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Rosa. Riders can choose between four rides in beautiful Wine Country:

• A family-friendly ride along a scenic paved bike path (riders can go up to 10 miles, but less if they wish along this out-and-back route).

• A 30-mile, relatively flat but lovely ride past vineyards and orchards.

• A 45-mile ride that includes almost 3,000 feet of elevation gain.

• A 70-mile ride that includes vineyards, redwoods, ocean views, and challenging climbs. 

The Festival following the rides takes place in a lovely garden at the Hyatt Regency. There’ll be music, delicious food, wine & beer, and free professional massages for riders.

Riders are required to raise $400. But don’t worry, we make that easy with lots of wonderful tips and tools.

Use the code EARLYBIRD and register by June 30 to get 50% off your registration fee!

REGISTER NOW.

For more information, email elaine@borp.org

On Tuesday April 9, an amazing group of volunteers helped clean up BORP’s Cycling Center and get all the bikes ready for new cycling season. Recruited by Steve Graham, the volunteers included his co-workers at SAP as well as their friends and guests. This busy crew did a stellar job of getting all the bikes, trikes and tandems in tip-top shape. Here at BORP we are deeply grateful for their hard work. Come to the Cycling Center and take one of these lovingly cleaned and lubricated machines for a spin! 

All photos by Steve Graham.