ALS fund raiser - Blackwoods Blizzard Tour

[tdblakes]

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) gradually paralyzes its victims, robbing them of the use of their arms, legs, voice and eventually their lungs. ALS typically takes the lives of victims within a few years of diagnosis. ALS is not as rare as most people think. There are a hundred new cases in Minnesota alone each year, and just as many fatalities. Sadly there is no treatment and no cure . . . as of yet, anyway.

The Blackwoods Blizzard Tour started in 2000 and has become an annual event raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund research toward a cure for ALS. My uncle Wes was diagnosed with 1998 and passed away from the disease in 2003. Our family has been consistently involved in this fund raiser since its early days and it has been amazing to watch it grow into what it is today.
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The ride itself is a 3 day ride starting in Proctor MN. There are several large sponsors that support with fuel, oil, lodging, food, gear transportation, and mechanical support (spare sleds and parts in case of a break down). I personally have been able to go on this ride once and it was a blast. In order to participate in this ride, the riders must raise a predetermined amount. Thanks to the internet, we can create a webpage for each rider that can accept donations toward the ALS foundation on behalf of that rider.
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For this year, my dad (Dan) and my uncle (Mike), Wes’ brothers, are riding and have pages setup allowing individuals to donate on their behalf. Below are links to their pages:

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<ODan - http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Rides/Minnesota?px=3383783&pg=personal&fr_id=8590
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Mike - http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Rides/Minnesota?px=2888977&pg=personal&fr_id=8590
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If anyone would like to donate that would be great, it can be any amount and be anonymous if you so choose. If not that is OK too. I just wanted to create a thread about this topic to make others aware of a group ride that’s for a worthy cause. Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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-Tom
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Link to Blizzard Tour's homepage: http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Rides/Minnesota?fr_id=8590&pg=entry

 

[tdblakes]

Last Year's Results

Results from the Event Last year:
http://blackwoodssports.com/?p=939

Black Woods Blizzard Tour raises record $763,000 for ALS
The Black Woods Blizzard Tour, Never Surrender, A Ride to Fight ALS raised a record $763,000 for The ALS Association, Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota Chapter — an increase of more than $100,000 from last year’s event. The Black Woods Blizzard Tour has now raised more than $4.3 million in its history.

There were 204 snowmobile riders and 57 sponsors participating in the 2012 event, which was held February 1-4. This was also a record number of riders for the tour.

“The Black Woods Blizzard Tour Board and riders set high goals for the Tour again this year,” said Executive Director Sue Spalding. “I am very proud of the accomplishments achieved. The people who volunteer on the board, committees, riders and sponsors continually strive to work for a common cause — to help people with ALS and find a cure for this terrible disease.”

This year’s top fundraiser was the Polaris team of Roseau, Minn. The team raised more than $100,000 through local community events and pledges. This was a record amount raised for this group. Jane Evans, representing Polaris, accepted the Polaris 600 IQ Shift snowmobile donated by Polaris Industries. The sled will be used to raise more money for ALS and the Black Woods Blizzard Tour.

Second place went to Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire, who raised more than $26,000. Coming in third was Dave Telschow of Savage, Minnesota, who raised $23,055. Ted Kowalski of Prior Lake raised $13,670 to take home fourth-place honors. Rounding out the top five was Jeff Thompson of Cologne, Minn., who raised $11,036.

Winning the Wes Blakeslee Most Valuable Rider Award this year was volunteer Jeff Trentman of Duluth, who has been a part of the Black Woods Blizzard Tour for years and oversees the luggage crew and makes sure everyone knows where to go next on the tour. Jeff is constantly working and doesn’t sit until all the jobs are done. Since he became involved, Jeff never misses a tour. One year he flew back from Singapore, just so he could volunteer. Jeff knows personally the trials of living with ALS and the difference the Chapter can make in someone’s life. Jeff lost his wife, Lisa, to ALS.

The ALS Association, Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota Chapter and the Black Woods Blizzard Tour congratulate Jeff for winning the award and thank him for his many years of service.

Terry Steinbach, former Minnesota Twins catcher, served as the celebrity host of the event for the 13th year. Joining Steinbach on the ride again this year were Minnesota Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire; Twins batting coach, Joe Vavra; and former Minnesota Twins great Kent Hrbek.

The Chapter would like to thank everyone involved in the Black Woods Blizzard Tour, especially all of the volunteers and those who donated to the event. A huge thank you is extended to the Black Woods Blizzard Tour committee: Bud Baker, Bryan Flaherty, Cullen Flaherty, Pete Gassert, Dan Hartel, Tom Jesperson, David Kolquist, Julie Thoreson and Dave Telschow.

Sponsors for the event include: Black Woods Grill and Bar, Fox Sports North, KDAL 610, Northland’s News Center KBJR, Phillips-UV/IceHole/Trinchero, Polaris Industries, Inc., Aluma Trailers/Widdes Trailer Sales, Essentia Health, Lamar Advertising Company, Minnesota Twins, Youngstedt’s Companies, AmericInn, Amsoil, KLN Family Brands, Rohlfing/Coors Light, Tischler Wood, Best Buy, Cambria, Cirrus, Coca-Cola, Country Inn and Suites, Creative Threads, Duluth Lawn and Sport, Engwall Florist and Greenhouses, ESPN 1500, Fastline Graphix, Fortune Bay Resort and Casino, Harbor City Oil, Hartel’s/DBJ Disposal Company, Holiday Station Stores, Jesperson Studios, JWDA, Inc., Kolar Toyota, Maurices, Mellin Promotions, Minnesota Coaches, MN USA, National Audio and Visual, Northland Subway, Perkins, Pike Lake Liquors, Precision Camera, Pro Print, Republic Bank, Skinz Protective Gear, SPOT, Spur, Stokes Media House, SYSCO, Twin Ports Paper, CentraCare Health Systems, Country Inn of Two Harbors, Hoyt Lakes VFW, Manning Transfer, Meier Art and Frame, Northern Business Products, University Liquor and operating under USDA Forest Service Permit.

 

[tdblakes]

TTT for a good cause

Another rider to support here!

One of my friends is riding in the Black Woods ALS charity fund raiser the end of January. If you haven't been impacted by ALS in some way count your blessings, its a horrible disease.

Anyway, take a minute to jump over to
http://maxsled.com/snowmobile/maxsled-com-to-support-black-woods-als-charity-rider-ike-daughenbaugh/ and if you would be kind enough to donate it would be greatly appreciated.

sled_guy

 

[tdblakes]

TTT for a good cause

X2 :face-icon-small-coo

 

[tdblakes]

X3! Rides in a couple weeks! Still reaching for the goal! Thanks for the support :face-icon-small-coo

 

[tdblakes]

TTT - about 80% of the goal! Ride is in 2 weeks! :face-icon-small-coo

 

[Perk]

Awesome - I invest heavily in a company called Neuralstem (CUR). They are soley focused on curing this using stem cell therapy. Glad to see some of my fellow Snowester's are interested in supporting this cause as well. Good luck with the fundraiser!

 

[MORSNO]

Awesome fund raiser!!! My father passed away from ALS three years ago this February. It is a very cruel disease that takes away life from many people.

Thank you for all your efforts to help with finding a cure!