Site icon TPG Online Daily

Mountain Charlie Challenge Race Kicks Into High Gear

Michael Oppenheimer

SV1505MCC_ridepic1 Mountain Charlie Challenge Times Publishing Group Inc tpgonlinedaily.comCalling all Riders, Runners, Walkers and Supporters of Scotts Valley’s Public Schools! The 13th Annual Mountain Charlie Challenge is set for Saturday, May 9 in Skypark. Mountain Charlie Challenge is a fundraising bike ride, run/walk and community event to raise money for the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation, which will use 100% of the proceeds to fund the needs of local public schools.

There are four bike rides on different courses (100 mile, 100 km, 50 km, and 10 mile family ride) throughout beautiful Santa Cruz County, plus for the first time a 5 km run/walk. See sidebar for details. The community joins in the Skypark activities, including live music, Mexican food (free to riders), a beer garden with Discretion Brewing, a drawing, and other family activities. For more information, visit www.svef.net or MountainCharlieChallenge.com.

Participant Registration

Registering to ride or run/walk in Mountain Charlie Challenge has never been easier. Just go to Eventbrite.com, and follow the prompts. The registration fees are reasonably priced (especially since all net proceeds go toward Scotts Valley public schools). In exchange, participants receive a superb riding, running or walking experience, complete with clearly-marked courses, abundant SAG support, fully-stocked and staffed rest stops, a unique t-shirt, drawing tickets, and ride-day bike tuning and repair services.

To cap the day, riders enjoy a delicious free post-ride lunch, beer garden and a music concert featuring the high school band “Side Salad Ensemble” (winner of SVHS’s battle of the bands). Many participants enjoy these activities with their families. Santa Cruz Mountain Cycling, a growing group of avid student bicyclists under the direction of coach Jo Fleming, will be riding the 100 km ride in preparation for upcoming state mountain bike championships.

Drawing and Silent Auction

The public can show its support for participants and local public schools by purchasing drawing tickets for $5 each or 4 for $20 at Skypark on the day of the event or by contacting any of Mountain Charlie Challenge’s riders, runners/walkers, students at local elementary schools, or emailing the event chairperson at aliciaburt@gmail.com. Top prizes this year (winners don’t need to be present) include: a new 2016 FOX Factory 34 suspension fork, two cruiser bikes donated by Scotts Valley Cycle Sport and two sets of 4 San Francisco Giants box seats.

Volunteers

Volunteers are always needed (and much appreciated!) in the days leading up to the event and on the day of the event. Visit www.mysignup.com/mountaincharlie2015 to choose a volunteer position. Volunteers always feel good making this event a success, and giving something back to our schools and community. Students can earn community service hours helping the Mountain Charlie Challenge too. One family even decided to volunteer together to celebrate their son’s birthday.

The Public Helps SVEF Help Local Schools

The public is invited to enjoy all of Mountain Charlie Challenge’s activities at Skypark, including the lunch, beer garden, music concert, drawing, and family activities. But the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation (SVEF), which organizes Mountain Charlie Challenge each year, also encourages (and appreciates!) donations from the public. SVEF is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to raise funds to support the educational needs of all students in the Scotts Valley Unified School District.

•••

Founded in 1983, SVEF helps maintain the high quality of education in all four Scotts Valley public schools. Mountain Charlie Challenge is SVEF’s biggest fundraiser of the year, netting over a quarter million dollars for local schools during its 13-year run. SVEF (which has no paid staff) uses 100% of the net proceeds raised by Mountain Charlie Challenge to fund critical needs in local public schools, including providing funds necessary to keep school libraries open, maintain counseling services and support the technology needs at all four public schools in Scotts Valley. The funds pay for essential programs and educational materials, keep budget cuts from affecting the classroom, and benefit every child in the school district. SVEF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, tax ID no. 77-0006718.

For more information, visit www.svef.net.

Those Responsible for MCC’s Success

The event planning team and SVEF thank each participant and volunteer who has helped make this event a success. The schools truly benefit. Special thanks goes to these generous sponsors and donors:

Mountain Charlie Sponsors: ● Lloyd’s Tire and Auto Care ● Yokohama ● Edward Jones ● Zinnia’s Gift Boutique ● Paul Locatelli Real Estate ● Scotts Valley Cycle Sport ● KPIG ● Santa Cruz Sentinel ● Mid County Auto Supply ● Jesse Gabriel Photography ● Business With Pleasure ● FOX Factory ● The Foot Doctors ● Allison and Paul Niday ● Smack Art Video ● and Peet’s Coffee.

Event support generously provided by: Odwalla, Pacific Cookie Company, Aunt Lali’s Treats, Discretion Brewing, Crystal Springs Water, Clif Bar, Rita’s Scotts Valley, Café Carbonero, Trader Joe’s and Safeway.

For additional information about the Mountain Charlie Challenge, visit www.svef.net, MountainCharlieChallenge.com or Facebook.

•••
Mountain Charlie Challenge Activities in 2015
All rides and the run/walk begin and end at Skypark in Scotts Valley

Exit mobile version