The annual 12 Hours of Mesa Verde mountain bike race is not just an intense endurance test, it’s also a major fundraiser for community youth programs.
This year, $66,000 of race proceeds was donated to local organizations that support the wellness needs of the younger population. The amount raised for donations is the highest yet since the race started in 2003.
“We are humbled and could not have done this without our sponsors, volunteers and participants,” the race board said in a statement. “The mission of the race is to raise money for programs with a focus on at-risk youth and youth empowerment.”
Since the race began, it has donated more than $500,000 to local organizations serving Montezuma and Dolores counties and the Ute Mountain Tribe.
The Four Corners Child Advocacy Center and the Piñon Project Family Resource Center were the top two beneficiaries, receiving $20,000 each.
The annual influx of funding pays for a therapist serving youth suffering from mental and physical trauma, said Rose Jergens, executive director or the Advocacy Center.
“Before their generous donations, we could only budget for a therapist two days a week; now we have an office and a therapist on four days per week,” she said.
Last year, the therapist served 230 youths with more than 1,000 sessions.
At the Piñon Project, the donated funds supports a wide variety of youth activity and mentoring programs, said executive director Kellie Willis.
“We rely on it heavily to support youth programs, and it pays for an activities coordinator we otherwise could not afford,” she said. “It is so heartwarming to see this support coming from our community.”
It funds services for more than 500 kids annually, from youth mentoring and empowerment to outdoor trips and before- and after-school programs.
Other recipients of the donated funds include Southwest Open School, $6,000; School Community Youth Collaborative, $6,000; High Desert Devo, $6,000; Good Samaritan Center, $2,000 and 170 cereal boxes; Montezuma School to Farm, $2,000; Cortez BMX, $2,000; Southwest Colorado Cycling Association, $500; Operations Graduation, $500; Destination Imagination, $500; and the local Southwest Conservation Youth Corp, $500.
The 12 Hours of Mesa Verde volunteer board includes President Nic McDonald, Vice President Paul Adams, Dani Gregory, Rachel Medina, Cap Allen, Jay Balfour, Kirk Underwood, Sharon Underwood and Nic Stoker.
