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Cycle across Virginia for US Parachute Team

Proceeds are being collected by Albert Berchtold

Completed

Based on 533 miles, each worth $36.58

Ended
79 pledgers

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A message from Matthew Shull:

Ranked 3 of 5 fundraisers - $150 raised by 2 supporters

I'm supporting Al Berchtold in his efforts to "Cycle across Virginia for US Parachute Team" and am asking you to support him by pledging per mile or one time donation during the fundraising campaign. I believe in this cause and I'm excited to help out the US Parachute Team for years to come. Unlike many other nations the US gov. doesn't subsidize their International Teams at world events, donations are the only way USPA can support their teams. Please pledge and help us reach the campaign goal of $15,000. I really appreciate your support. Thank you!

Bike 520 miles through the mountains of Virginia to support the USPT.

About the US Parachute Team Trust Fund: The Team Trust Fund, conceived by board member Mike Truffer in 1986, is an endowment fund to support each U.S. Team as it prepares for the World Championships every two years. To eventually grow the fund to the point that it can fully support the team, USPA set up the trust so that only the interest and dividends earned during the two-year period can be disbursed. This fund now rests at $1.7 million dollars which is great, and it means that for the last three world championships our teams have had their registrations paid for by the interest and dividends from this endowment.

Problems: 1. More skydiving disciplines are being added and the number of people on the team is increasing.  This year there are over 120 people on the US Parachute team. The result is funding per competitor may decrease in upcoming years if the corpus of the fund does not increase.  2. While it is awesome that the registration costs are covered by the fund,  registration costs of a World Championship merely scratch the surface of the costs our individual team members incur.  They spend thousands of their personal dollars on training, equipment, travel, gear maintenance, coaching, uniforms and the list goes on.

If we’re going to continue to fund individual team members at the current level, and ever consider increasing funding, we need to grow the value of the US Parachute Team Trust Fund.

Goal:  Every year I find myself and team mates regularly searching for support.  Equipment, gear maintenance, financial support you name it.  This year I’m not putting my hand out for myself.  I’m putting it out for everyone else who will come after me.  The US Parachute Teams of the future so they may not bear the same financial struggles all of us have.

My Challenge: In May I will ride my bicycle across the state of Virginia.  It’s not an easy endeavor. It’s over 520 miles, and over 30,000 feet of climbing.  My ride will begin on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC heading west towards Winchester then turning southwest and following the peaks and valleys through the heart of Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Mountains finishing in Damascus, VA. My goal is to finish in 9 days, but maybe I’ll go faster, maybe I’ll go slower, but with your support I’ll be motivated to keep pedaling.

Where you come in:  I ask you to make a pledge per mile I ride.  Five dollars, One dollar, Fifty cents, Ten cents.  Every cent counts.  And it all goes to the US Parachute Team Trust Fund.  My event goal is to complete the ride which is 520 miles over 9 days.  Depending on how many times I get lost the mileage or number of days may end up higher or lower! ;-).

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” -oscar wilde

FAQ:  Yes, I am a little crazy. No, I’ve never ridden this far before.  No, I’ve never climbed this high before.   Yes, there are bears and lions and things that could eat me in these mountains.  Yes, I am a little scared.

Schedule

DateNamemilesEarned
5/22Cross Virginia Valley 520533$19,496

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