Domie Aquino of Box Elder leads a group of riders on day four of the 2006 Park-2-Park Montana ride. The group is on the road from White Sulphur Springs to Ringling then on to Livingston. The 5-day ride covered 385 miles from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park in early September.
2006 Park-2-Park Montana Ride Exceeds Expectations and Fundraising Goals
Twenty-five bike riders from across Montana raised more than $15,000 for CASA of Montana and its 15 local programs in September's second Park-2-Park Montana bike ride. The riders biked from St. Mary's KOA near Glacier to Gardiner in Yellowstone Park. They endured climbing to 7,000 feet at King's Hill summit on one 97-mile day and slogged through mud at the road construction site near Ringling.
Meeting other bike riders and working together to reach a common goal were highlights of the trip along highway 89 for the bikers. They especially enjoyed meeting CASA volunteers and eating homemade dinners in communities along the way. The Dupuyer Garden Club provided dinner in Dupuyer and local community members offered showers in their homes. CASA programs along the route supported the bike riders with meals and entertainment.
"I had the time of my life on the ride," wrote Jo Ridgeway, Miles City attorney and top fundraiser at more than $3,000. She was joined by four other attorneys, including State Auditor John Morrison. Other riders included a retired mailman from Missoula, a Billings deputy police chief and a firefighter, and two riders from the Havre area. Riders came from Great Falls, Dillon, Missoula, Helena, Billings, Kalispell, Whitefish and Miles City.
"I was so impressed by the commitment of the riders and their interest in learning more about CASA," said Executive Director Ellen Bush. "They were a fun group, too. We appreciate all the sponsors that made this event possible."
The Montana Advocacy Project is the Platinum Sponsor for the bike ride, with Nicholson Inc. and Hammer Nutrition as Gold Sponsors. The Helena Bike Club sponsors the ride, along with silver sponsors Helena Motors, BlueCross BlueShield, New West Health Plans, Valley Bank, the Montana Credit Union League, St. Mary's East Glacier KOA, Bank of the Rockies and the Neighborhood Office. Other Helena sponsors include Big Sky Cyclery, Great Divide Cyclery and Park Avenue Bakery.
CASA programs along the way supported the ride, from lunch in Choteau to dinners and other meals provided by volunteers in Great Falls and Livingston. The sponsoring CASA programs include Front Range CASA/GAL, CASA CAN (Great Falls), 6th Judicial District CASA/GAL (Livingston), Gallatin County CASA/GAL and CASA-Advocates for Kids (Helena).
More than 400 CASA volunteers are advocating for about 1,000 children in Montana, but more volunteers are needed. Contract Ellen Bush at 866 863 2272 for more information. Donations can be made through the website link below or by mailing at check to CASA of Montana, P.O. Box 1046, Helena, MT 59624.
