CAF Offices Severely Damaged by Fire

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Dear Friends:

We are sad to report that on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 22) the offices of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) were hit by a catastrophic fire. Fortunately, no one was injured. However the blaze, which apparently was electrical in nature, was centered directly above our storeroom, which was packed floor-to-ceiling with donated items for the upcoming San Diego Triathlon Challenge (our biggest fundraising event is a little more than month away). Most of that material – with a retail value in the hundreds of thousands of dollars – was destroyed in the fire. The offices themselves will require extensive repairs and the staff will be forced to find a new home for at least the next six weeks.

A couple of notes in the wake of this ill-timed disaster:

1) The office phone and Internet service are currently not operational. Please allow us a couple of days to get these back on line and bear with us as we scramble to resume normal operations. Please check our web site for updates about the status of our phone service.

2) The San Diego Triathlon Challenge and Tour de Cove will go on as planned. We look forward to seeing all of our friends and supporters at La Jolla Cove on Oct. 28 for this annual festival of abilities.

3) Obviously, we are facing a lot of work to re-stock and replace the items destroyed in the fire. If you would like to help, please consider making a donation on our web site.

With the support of our fundraisers, donors and sponsors, we know we will be able to overcome this set-back and continue uninterrupted in our quest to help physically challenged athletes enjoy the freedom, self-worth and confidence that can only be acquired in the athletic arena. Thank you for your continued backing of CAF.

The CAF Team

TDC E-Newsletter - 9/19/07

Thank you so much for being part of Tour de Cove and committing to raise funds for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. There's just over five weeks left to meet our $200,000 fundraising goal. So far, we have raised $51,849 – so, we need your help now. You can make all the difference!

Tour de Cove is more than just a spinning event – this event will leave you inspired and proud of that fact that you helped others live life to the fullest. This year we will be welcoming nearly 20 soldiers from CAF’s Operation Rebound program at TDC. They will take part by spinning on handcycles – set at the front of the venue – and experience the great sense of freedom that adaptive sports equipment can provide for peoples with disabilities.

We’re also excited to note that some of our CAF-supported superstars will be on stage – encouraging you to spin. Athletes like Sarah Reinertsen (above-knee amputee and star of CBS' The Amazing Race 10 ), military amputee David Rozelle (lost lower leg in Iraq; returned to combat on a prosthetic leg and later finshed Ironman Hawaii) and Carlos Moleda (Navy SEAL wounded in Panama who is a 4-time Ironman World Champion).

It will be an incredible day!!

KEEP ON FUNDRAISING: It is the funds that you raise that WILL change the lives of challenged athletes. At Tour de Cove, you will spin alongside physically challenged athletes who are accomplishing feats that were once thought impossible. Now is the time to use your personal donation webpage to maximize your fundraising efforts for Tour de Cove.

Use the email tool in your 'MY HQ' and invite your friends and family to visit your personal web page and make a donation. Use our sample email letter to ask them to join you and support your fundraising effort. For your friends and family who prefer to donate by check -- be sure to send them the Tour de Cove Donation Form.

Login to your 'MY HQ' now to get started! Go to www.tourdecove.kintera.org and enter your username and password. If you need a reminder of your registration details -- just email TDC@challengedathletes.org .

EARN SOME COOL PRIZES: Earn a reward for raising money. Fundraising levels are calculated by deducting your entry fee from your total amount raised. ($500 for Individual Champion & Yellow Jerseys or $300 for three-person Polka Dot teams). Here's a peek at some of the great items available to fundraisers:

• Raise $500: Choose between Cycling Shorts/or Top by 2XU.com or 1 Hour Massage
• Raise $1,000: Choose between a $150 Cohn Restaurant gift certificate, Specialized Pro Carbon Road Shoes, or Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor
• Raise $1,500: Choose between a 2GB iPod Nano or 2XU Wetsuit ot Polar RDS200 Heart Rate Monitor

2007 Tour de Cove Incentive Prize List

KNOW YOUR DEADLINES: As a reminder, all minimum entry fees must to received by October 15, 2007. We do encourage you to raise above and beyond the entry fee.

Thank you so much for your commitment and support of CAF! Let me know if you have any questions.

All the best,

Joanna McGowan
Tour de Cove Fundraising Manager
Challenged Athletes Foundation
www.tourdecove.kintera.org
(858) 568-3397

CAF's Tour de Cove - Registration is Open

The Frog’s Fitness Tour de Cove (TDC) returns to La Jolla Cove on Sunday, October 28, 2007. The event continues to grow and we want to thank you for having been part of its past success. This year it’s going to be a swashbuckling good time with our new theme -- Tour de ‘Pirates’ Cove!

I wanted to share a few changes that we’ve made for 2007. First, is me! I am very excited to be back with CAF and managing the fundraising for Tour de Cove. The amazing duo of Colleen & Heather are back as Event Chairs and already working hard to make 2007 unforgettable. We’ve also introduced a new challenge – The Champion Jersey Level – for riders raising $2,000. We’re going big!!! There are now only three challenges – Champion, Yellow and Polka Dot Relay (maximum of three riders now).

We’ve shaken up the schedule and will be spinning for 4½ hours from 9:00am – 1:30pm…and…we’ve added a party! A catered lunch on the lawn with a live performance by Atomic Groove and the chance to meet some of the challenged athletes whose dreams you’ve helped make come true.

This year’s 4½ hour adventure features choreographed cycling sessions led by San Diego’s top spin instructors, the return of Johnny G (the creator of Spinning®), a live performance by Atomic Groove and an inspiring presentation from CAF. The energy will amaze and inspire you.

We hope you will join us for the 2007 event and help us raise $200,000 for challenged athletes. Register for TDC at http://www.tourdecove.kintera.org. If you have any questions contact Joanna McGowan directly at 858.568.3397 or at TDC@challengedathletes.org.

Happy Spinning!
Joanna, Colleen and Heather