HOUSTON – Professionals from city planning, real estate, plant management, health care, large corporations, small businesses, and a retired, full-time volunteer – the faces of the Bikers Against Breast Cancer planning committee reflect the diversity of those that will participate on the 5th Annual Ride, May 11th.
And if these planners have anything to say about it, the 5th ride will be the best yet.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with San Jacinto Harley Davidson for The Rose’s 5th Annual Bikers Against Breast Cancer ride,” said D’Etta Casto DeLeon, a senior vice president at Grandbridge Real Estate Capital and the founder and committee chair for BABC. “They have supported us from the beginning and with the selection of the BABC ride as a feature of their annual open house, we could see more than double the attendance we’ve had in years past.”
Other “firsts” in this fifth year of organizing the event benefitting The Rose, a nonprofit breast health organization serving the Houston area and more than 24 counties via their mobile units, include: an online opportunity for riders and “ghost riders” (registered participants who enjoy the festivities but do not ride) to raise funds as teams or individuals, a “Leader of the Pack” $15,000 level sponsor, a Public Service Announcement produced by the City of Pasadena, additional live entertainment on May 11th with The Slags performing from the SJHD-provided stage and emceed by popular radio personalities Dean & Rog, and a “Best in Show” bike contest.
The launch of The Rose’s new website at www.TheRose.org allowed for the additional fund-raising optionof participants creating pages to encourage their friends and families to support their 45-mile ride.
An October 2012 fundraiser hosted by BABC committee member and Second Chance Saloon owner Janet Slocum brought in the $15,000 that necessitated creating a new sponsorship level to acknowledge the funds collected during the standing room only event.
Committee member Richard Bennett reached out to his connections with the City of Pasadena and made possible a 30 second spot now airing on the city’s cable channel and promoted via BABC and The Rose social media.
Dean and Rog of Houston’s The Eagle, 106.9 and 107.5, thought so highly of the annual event, they requested the chance to partner with group this year and will be promoting “Dean and Rog and Bikers Against Breast Cancer” in the weeks prior as well as provide on-site games and prizes on May 11th.
“The committee always helps to ensure the BABC ride is profitable, safe and fun. Given that each member volunteers their time – including monthly meetings beginning in December and the before dawn set up on the day of the ride – I can’t thank each of them – past and present – enough,” said Casto-DeLeon.
Sometimes that commitment to excellence can be tested – like last year’s wet testament that the ride is “rain or shine.” Yet in 2012, more than 500 participants registered, rode, volunteered, or “partied” on an inaugural survivor bus. Thirty-seven local businesses helped to triple the amount brought in by sponsorships from the year before. And merchandise sales and auction items helped raise the gross for the event to more than $55,000 benefitting The Rose.
Co-Founder and CEO Dorothy Gibbons says the community support is one of the reasons The Rose can continue its mission of meeting the breast health care needs of not only insured women but those who often fall between the cracks – women who don’t qualify for programs based on poverty levels but are still unable to afford insurance.
“After 27 years of being there for all women – regardless of their ability to pay – The Rose continues to rely on our patients, friends, and supporters to be our ambassadors. They tell our story in ways we never could and then they add their gifts of time and money. I could never thank our volunteers enough. They are truly people committed to taking care of their community. I am so appreciative of the monumental contributions of leaders like D’Etta and her team,” said Gibbons.
Organizers are currently enlisting sponsors and collecting auction items. Corporate sponsorships are available at $250, $500, $1000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000 levels. Current ride sponsors include Second Chance Saloon as the “Leader of The Pack”, San Jacinto Harley-Davidson, Pasadena Channel 16, The Eagle 106.9 & 107.5, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, Grayco Communications, Guidry’s, LaPorte Towing, Pipefitters Local Union 211, IBEW LU 66, and U.S. Development Group.
The 5th Annual Bikers Against Breast Cancer is scheduled for May 11th at (San Jacinto Harley Davidson 3636 E. Sam Houston Parkway South Pasadena) with registration open at 8:30 a.m. and Kickstands Up at 10:30 a.m. Participants can register online and create a fundraising page at www.TheRose.org. Cost to register is $30 Rider; $40 Rider + Passenger and $30 Ghost Rider.
