The gift that keeps on giving

As 2010 rolls to a cold and soggy Northwest close, a lot of us are thinking about our year-end, tax-deductible contributions. If you’re anything like me, you want your hard-earned money to go somewhere it’ll have a significant effect. That got me curious about how many people Cascade touches every year through its many programs. As an exercise, I made a list. Amazed by the results, I checked it twice. Here’s what I found: Cascade’s Reach in 2010

• About 26,000 riders cruising along on nearly 1,300 Cascade free daily rides.
• 22,485 riders in our big events, like the Chilly Hilly, Group Health STP and RSVP.
• More than 13,000 members.
• 11,132 school kids who now know the Basics of Bicycling.
• 10,372 Group Health Commute Challenge participants.
• 10,240 participants at Seattle Bike Swap and Bike Expo.
• 9,730 citizens reached by Cascade Bicycle Ambassadors at community events.
• 9,451 pedaling children enjoying camps, rodeos, Trips for Kids mountain biking rides and more.
• Helmets distributed to 4,200 now-protected heads.
• Roundabout 500 adult students learning safe biking and maintenance skills.
• Approximately 185 trained and certified daily Ride Leaders.
• 113 Major Taylor Project teens (21 of them earning their bikes!)
• 51 businesses in our Bike Business Forum.
• 43 bike-friendly, Cascade-endorsed candidates elected into public office.
• 36 commuters in south Seattle swapping cars for bikes through our Green Bike™ Project.
• Over 30 people in our commute classes.

Can I say it again?—I’m amazed. These are the people that Cascade touches each and every year through its wide-ranging programs. However you look at it, there are A LOT of them. Cascade’s gigantic audience tells me that my donation dollars go a long way at North America’s biggest bicycle club. And that’s not the end of it. The organization’s reach keeps going (the gift that keeps on giving, if you will). Bicycling brings with it all sorts of other good things. Things like: ** Cleaner air and water. ** Fitness and good health. ** More livable neighborhoods. ** Less traffic. ** Fewer greenhouse gasses in our struggling climate. And lest we forget—bicycling brings FUN. Not only has my counting exercise convinced me that I’m working for a tremendously effective organization. It also tells me that a gift to Cascade is a wise investment in the things I care about. I’m going to make a year-end donation to Cascade. Will you do the same? We’ve made it easy for you to give online. You can also donate by check. Simply mail your gift to: Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101S Seattle, WA  98115-8179. However you choose to give, I know that Cascade will put your donation to good work, far and wide, inspiring and building a great big, healthy and hearty community of cyclists. Thank you for riding and for giving.