Bash for Bikes Expands Impact in Africa
Amelie Panaccione and Lucy Alexander deliver their “Lemonade Stand Speech"
Coming off of a super successful first Bash for Bikes in December 2011, it was the vision of Colorado Multisport to create a follow-up event to further honor Amelie Pancionne and Lucy Alexander’s dedication to World Bicycle Relief. On Friday, August 3rd, the sports superstore opened its doors once again to celebrate the cause. Here’s a recap of the excitement.
Amelie and Lucy opened the evening on a tender note as they shared the story of their World Bicycle Relief lemonade stand, the catalyst that started Bash for Bikes. The two young girls’ presentation captured the sentiment of the event – Anyone can make a difference in the world, no matter your age or what type of bicycle you ride, as long as you have heart.
The celebrity athlete panel at Bash for Bikes II is all smiles
After dinner, the attention shifted to a celebrity athlete panel featuring Craig Alexander, Mirinda Carfrae , Tim O’Donnell and Tom Danielson. The Q&A session, led by athletic training advisor Mat Steinmetz, focused on the athletes personal stories and gave a behind the scenes look into the world of professional cyclists/triathletes. During this time, the group also highlighted the importance of giving back with your sport as Team World Bicycle Relief member Mirinda Carfrae shared her newest video that calls athletes to “turn your passion for pedaling into progress and hope.”
The evening concluded with an exciting live auction with guests bidding on items from Shimano, Specialized and Zipp (among others) and highlighted a growing cooperation between the cycling and triathlon communities as they came together to support the work of World Bicycle Relief.
World Bicycle Relief President F.K. Day with Ironman Champions Mirinda Carfrae and Tim O'Donell
Through event registrations, attendee donations, a live and silent auction, a generous 10 bicycle donation from the Ironman Foundation and $44 raised from Amelie and Lucy’s most recent lemonade stand, Bash for Bikes II raised a whopping $20,389 for World Bicycle Relief’s programs in Africa.
Guests are already looking forward to Bash for Bikes III and we at World Bicycle Relief extend our deepest thanks to everyone involved in making the event such a success. A particularly big thank you goes to our lead event sponsors; Colorado Multisport, Boulder Beer, West End Wine Shop and Skratch Labs and the two young girls that started it all; Amelie and Lucy. Thanks to your support over 150 students, healthcare workers and entrepreneurs in rural Africa, as well as their families, will now have access to education, healthcare and economic opportunity via the Power of Bicycles!
That’s what we call a real Bash for Bikes!
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World Bicyle Relief would also like to thank our generous Bash for Bikes II auction sponsors: Blueseventy, Cateye, Chef Biju, Craig Alexander, Fi’zi:k, Generations of Sonoma Vineyard, Hincapie Sports, Louis Garneau, Newton, Nuun, Pactimo, Profile Designs, Ritual Chocolate, Rotor Bike USA, Shimano, Sidi, Specialized, SRAM, Tern,Training Peaks, Westin at Beaver Creek, Velo Bling, Vision Quest Coaching, Zipp
