rider relief fund

[from the bikeiowa.org email list]

Sorry for the blast email, but...

I'm not prepared to make the formal announcement yet,

but I wanted to give everyone a heads up on what I'm currently working on so that you may pass it along to others who might be interested...As you know, Conn Day suffered an accident while racing recently resulting in a fractured pelvis, concussion, and other injuries. This event has spurred an outpouring of sentiment and good will from those who would like to help in some fashion.I have been approached by a group within our cycling community to discuss ways in which we might be able to provide assistance not only to Conn, but also to other cyclists who may find themselves in the same situation.To facilitate this, I am establishing a non-profit (charitable?) organization called the Rider Relief Fund. Many of the details are still being ironed out, which is why I'm treating this as more of an informal announcement (formal announcement and press release to be forthcoming). Please know that this is not something I am doing solely on my own - I am merely going through the legwork of setting up the organization and helping to bring it to fruition.As it stands right now, the goals for this organization will be to aide and assist cyclists who become injured while riding/racing. As much as possible, we would like to avoid simply handing the cyclist a monetary check, as it could be taken the wrong way and not used to its fullest potential. (Using Conn as the example, he would likely not accept it or would simply turn it over to charity).Instead, the Rider Relief Fund's goal will be to use donations and revenue from fundraisers to help meet the cyclist's monthly cost of living expenses. These could include anything from electrical/gas utilities, water utilities, mortgage payments, or anything else that we find to help the cyclist with. One vision is to see the Rider Relief Fund work directly with the providing companies, who could then also contribute as well and also use the opportunity for their own public relations if they so choose.Initially, these type of expenses will be easier to assist with and the hope is it can provide a more immediate response rather than trying to deal with medical insurance paperwork, USAC medical reimbursements, medical facilities paperwork, determining how much is/isn't already covered medically, etc.With that said, if anyone is interested in providing donations - either to be used directly for Conn or for helping build the fund for future riders -

please feel free to do so by sending a check to:

Rider Relief Fund

Attn: Mark A. Guthart

2000 James Street, Suite 215

Coralville, IA 52241

(If you don't want to mail one,

you can also give a donation to me at a race).

I apologize this will not initially be set up as a 501c3 charitable organization.

I'm investigating the process for doing this

and weighing the plusses/minuses of doing so.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, suggestions,

please don't hesitate to contact me with those as well.

Mark A. Guthart

319-248-9665

319-321-6487 (cell)

P.S. The website for this group is in the process of

getting registered as well,

and will be available shortly at

http://www.riderrelief.org/ and

http://www.riderrelieffund.org/.

If there is anyone I missed on this,

please feel free to forward. Thanks!

[i just did--thanks, mark!]