Outreach Events
5th Annual Captains Choice Golf Tournament
May 20, 2008
Draper, Virginia
Under sunny skies and stunning temperatures, the 5th Annual Captains Choice Golf Tournament to benefit the youth leadership CYCLE Program was held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at the Draper Valley Golf Club in Draper, Virginia. The Golf Tournament was a success both financially and socially.
This annual event raises money for the CYCLE program, a week-long youth leadership program for rising 10th graders from all over Virginia. VPCF has always offered CYCLE at no cost to the teens or their families. Instead, we rely upon the support of businesses, concerned citizens, and public and private grants to fund the program, as well as conducting fundraisers such as golf tournaments and this bike ride. Since 2002, 676 teens have attended CYCLE. Click here for more information on our CYCLE Program.
The event was coordinated by Lieutenant Joe Davis of the Blacksburg Police Department, along with Lieutenant Doug Weddle, Christiansburg Police Department; Police Officer II Dan Walters, Roanoke County Police Department; and Sergeant Scott Lau, Virginia Tech Police Department. Their tireless efforts, cooperation, and assistance made this event possible, and the support of their individual agencies was greatly appreciated.
The Foundation would also like to recognize the following individuals from Blacksburg Police Department who volunteered their time and energy to this event: Ms. Ginny Belcher, Ms. Tina Shepherd and Ms. Debbie Atkins. Lastly, we want to thank Mr. Jim Heninger and Kroger for their tremendous support with the barbeque lunch for everyone.
Special thanks to the following agencies for sponsoring the tournament: Blacksburg Police Department, Christiansburg Police Department, Roanoke County Police Department, and the Virginia Tech Police Department. A big thanks to the following sponsors. The success of the golf tournament is owed, in large part, to their contributions.
SPONSORS/DONORS:
Harmon's Service Center Horne Funeral Home Danny's Auto Loans, Inc. Allstate Insurance Company JB Brewing, Inc. (Champs Sportsbar & Café) Kroger Dr. Powledge Occupational Medicine WalMart Member One Federal Credit Union First Team Auto Mall Lancaster Inc. (T/A Total Car Care and Towing) Blue Ridge Beverage Co., Inc. Deborah Caldwell-Bono, Attorney-At-Law. P.C. Grafix Shoppe Charles V. Hoback, Attorney-At-Law White Tire, LLC. Dr. Matthew T. Ankrum DDS, MS, PC Fitzwater, Inc. (DBA A Cleaner World #194) Elite Fabrication & Machine Inc. Alpha Pizzeria First Bank and Trust Co. Barnes and Noble Books Salem Avalanche Brookside Golf Course Regal Cinema |
Texas Steakhouse Roanoke Country Club Auburn Hill Golf Course Ashley Plantation Country Club The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center Kabuki, Inc. Galls, Inc. Big Lick Golf Kent Jewelers Town Police Supply Hanging Rock Golf Course Thompson Tire Co Pepsi Cola, Inc Xpress Markets, Inc. Red Lobster New River Engraving Westlake Golf and Country Club Texas Roadhouse Shelor Dodge Craker Barrell IHOP 381-3961 Dicks The Meadows Shakers Great Oaks Country Club Virginia Tech Athletics Zeppoli's Inc. |
2008 Cycle 4 CYCLE 53 K Bicycle Ride a Resounding Success
April 26
in Williamsburg, Virginia!
Seventy riders and more than 60 volunteers joined VPCF on Saturday, April 26 in Williamsburg for the 2008 Cycle 4 CYCLE 53 K Bicycle Ride, graciously hosted by the Williamsburg Police Department. Quarterpath Park marked the starting point and finish line for this 33-mile ride along streets lined with colorful azaleas and dogwoods.
The purpose of this ride was to raise awareness and funds for the CYCLE program, a week-long youth leadership program for rising 10th graders from all over Virginia. VPCF has always offered CYCLE at no cost to the teens or their families. Instead, we rely upon the support of businesses, concerned citizens, and public and private grants to fund the program, as well as conducting fundraisers such as golf tournaments and this bike ride. Since 2002, 676 teens have attended CYCLE. Click here for more information on our CYCLE Program.
Riders had an opportunity to earn prizes for pledges received and the person who collected the largest dollar amount of donations was awarded the yellow “Ride Leader” jersey. The jersey winner was Larry Curfiss of Roanoke. Larry, a VPCF board member, asked a member of the Williamsburg Police Department to act as honorary ride leader and to wear the yellow leader jersey. Second among pledge earners was Janice Hart, another VPCF board member.
The weather was picture-perfect, and the event was kicked off by Williamsburg Police Chief James Yost, Sergeant Tim Davis of the Williamsburg Police Department, who coordinated the event, and VPCF’s CEO Lex Eckenrode. Calvin Royal and Amy Whittington, representing our corporate sponsor Target, were also present at the start of the ride, and donated a $200 Target gift card to be used for a drawing of all the riders who collected at least $50 in pledges. Ms. Whittington drew the winning name for the Target card, won by Sharon Monds, who collected pledges totaling $185.
Cyclists included police officers, citizens, and young people from all around the state of Virginia. Among the riders of this event were a group of police officers representing the Police Unity Tour. These officers hail from police departments all over the Commonwealth, banding together with officers from many states who, every year during National Police Week (May 11- May 17), ride as one unified group on their way to the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
All Cycle 4 CYCLE riders wove through scenic Williamsburg's many historic landmarks, traveled by the historic capitol building located in Colonial Williamsburg, through the heart of the historic district, and crossed over Duke of Gloucester Street.
Top left: Several members from the Police Unity Tour rode in this event. Top right: A lone rider takes in the pictorial countryside along the York River. Bottom: Riders vie for the front position.
Exiting the city, the route took riders on a pictorial countryside cruise, alongside the York River, to the mid-way point at one of Virginia's award-winning parks, York River State Park. The mid-point was generously sponsored by Target, where 22 Target team members greeted riders and passed out snacks and water which Target donated. The return trip offered more countryside routes as the ride entered its final leg.
A big thanks is owed to Sergeant Tim Davis and his committee of officers from the Williamsburg Police Department, who undertook this monumental project with enthusiasm and dedication. The success of the ride can also be attributed to the immense presence of volunteers who worked at the ride. Whether working the registration table, manning water stations, riding in the SAG wagon, coordinating communication along the ride, passing out lunches, or the other myriad responsibilities that volunteers assumed, we are so grateful for their support.
Special thanks to the Williamsburg Police Department for hosting the event, and to Target for graciously providing their team members to volunteer, and for donating water, snacks, and prizes for the event. Thanks also to the following organizations for generously donating goods, supplies, and services: Bikes Unlimited, Colonial Sports, Handy Ice, Manhattan Bagel, Sam’s Club, and Wawa. We are extremely grateful for their assistance.
Will We Ride Again?
We’re gearing up for the next bike ride, tentatively planned for Roanoke in spring 2009. Please check back on the website periodically for more information. If you would like more information about future bike rides, or the CYCLE program, contact Julie Gigante at (804) 285-8227, or by email at julie@vapolicefoundation.org.
More Cycle 4 CYCLE Photos
(thanks to Jim Stanley and Amy Whittington for providing photos)
