Monday, July 9, 2018
ILO is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to creating communities in which individuals with disabilities can live as independently as they choose, supported according to their needs.
As a non-profit, ILO depends on the support of the community to succeed. In our four-year history, we have achieved many of our goals. On August 3, we will be asking for your help once again. ILO is partnering with Bike to the Beach (B2B) to take part in the DC Ride for Autism and Disabilities. ILO Founder Maedi Tanham Carney will be riding to represent ILO, alongside fellow board member and parent Gerry Dorros, and a friend. They would love to count on your support and are currently seeking donations to help them reach their fundraising goals – for more information on how to donate, please contact ILO.
B2B & ILO
According to the organization’s website, Bike to the Beach (B2B) is an annual event in which a community made up of individuals, cyclists, local organizations, advocates, philanthropists, corporate companies and national partners all come together to promote cycling, raise funds, and support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.
B2B began a number of years ago when two friends biked 100+ miles to attend their high school graduation – the route took them from Washington, DC to the Delaware Shore. This tradition between friends grew year after year, until it developed into a philanthropic organization dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism and disabilities. Since its creation, B2B has raised more than 3 million dollars, biked more than 400,000 miles, and has been hosted in 7 cities.
This year, ILO is participating in B2B’s DC Ride for Autism and Disabilities as a silver sponsor. We were inspired by B2B’s commitment to helping individuals with disabilities and their families work together to effect positive change. As a silver partner, we have pledged to help this organization spread awareness and education about autism and other disabilities. We have also committed to participating in this fun ride to raise funds for our own organization and support other disability advocates and groups across the country.
Support ILO
There are a number of ways that individuals can support ILO & B2B. Those interested in taking part in the event itself can register here for either the 50-mile event, or the epic 100-mile event. B2B prides itself on making this experience as easy as possible – they will take care of food, water, rest stops, mechanical support, and will even arrange bike rentals and returns. Registration is $100 per rider, with a commitment to meet the $500 minimum fundraising goal. All monies raised help support B2B and their partner organizations.
In addition to taking care of the practical aspects of the race, B2B also has riders covered from registration day to race day, and everything in between. Participants that register are provided all the tools and information needed to tackle the ride and easily accomplish fundraising goals. B2B’s ride guide is a comprehensive summary of everything participants can expect during the DC event, including suggested training guides and routes, as well as how to pack, scheduled rest stops, and more. The organization provides riders with an incredible amount of fundraising support, including tools such as a personalized website, email templates for seeking donations, and information and tips on how to achieve fundraising goals. And, last but not least, B2B has created active communities of cyclers and supporters for each of the cities in which they are hosting rides. Follow this link to join the Facebook group for the DC ride.
If you are not interested in participating, you can sponsor (a participant or an organization), or volunteer your time to help with the organization/management of the event, either pre-event or on the day of. For more information on how to sponsor, donate or volunteer please contact ILO. We also encourage you to check out B2B’s website for more inspirational stories about this organization and their previous charity rides.
We hope that you will join us on August 3 as we partner with B2B, improving the lives of individuals with disabilities one (biked) mile at a time.
