ME&V to Hold 10-Year Anniversary Bike Rides to Benefit Local Charity
“Cedar Valley Nonprofits Challenged to Find Innovative Use for Extra Cash”
CEDAR FALLS (August 17, 2006) - In celebration of its 10th anniversary, ME&V, a specialized, full-service advertising and fundraising agency, will hold bike rides to benefit a nonprofit organization through the Cedar Valley United Way.
The rides, a 10K (6.2-mile) family bike ride and a 25-mile poker ride, will take place on the 10th anniversary of the day ME&V was founded, Sunday, Oct. 1. A rain date is set for Sunday, Oct. 8. The rides will begin on the bike trails near ME&V, located on South Prairie Lake in the Cedar Falls Industrial and Technology Park.
Cedar Valley nonprofit organizations are asked to submit an answer to ME&V by Friday, Sept. 8 to the question, “If you had some extra money, what creative and innovative way would you use it?” The Cedar Valley United Way will donate a minimum of $1,000 in proceeds from the ride to the nonprofit organization deemed to have the most creative and innovative use for the funds.
“Since our founding in 1996, we’ve had a goal of partnering with clients and connecting with the community,” says Dee Vandeventer, president, ME&V. “Assisting nonprofit clients and helping with community causes has been a major focus for our agency.”
“As part of our 10th anniversary celebration we’ve organized these rides as a fun, family-friendly event. We invite everyone to help us help the Cedar Valley United Way reward a nonprofit organization for its creativity and recognize its contribution to our community.”
Ride participants are asked to pre-register as a family team or as a team representing a company or organization. Teams representing Cedar Falls Industrial and Technology Park businesses and Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce member organizations are especially encouraged to enter.
Entry fees payable to ME&V are $10 per person for the 10K family bike ride and $25 per person for the 25-mile poker ride. Children 10 and under are free. Prizes will be given to: the first 100 ride registrants, teams of 10, and the family and the company or organization with the most riders. Registration forms and waiver of liability forms are available at area bike shops, Cedar Valley United Way, UPS, ME&V and online at www.MEandV.com/bikeride.
Check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1 in the ME&V parking lot, 6711 Chancellor Drive, Cedar Falls. The 25-mile poker ride begins at 1 p.m. and the 10K family bike ride begins at 1:15 p.m. Helmets are required.
The 10K family bike ride includes a scavenger hunt along the Prairie Lakes Trail on a route that begins behind ME&V and travels north across Viking Road. The ride doubles back on the trail east of Hudson Road to circle the Prairie Lakes and finish at ME&V.
The 25-mile poker ride includes five stops along the bike trails in Cedar Falls. Riders will draw cards at ME&V, Greenhill Road Shelter, Gateway Park, Mulligan’s and again at ME&V. Prizes for the best poker hands will be based on the number of entrants.
Bike Tech will provide free bike safety inspections during check-in on the day of the rides. After the rides, Allen Hospital massage therapists will provide therapeutic massages for riders and children can participate in a tricycle and three-wheeler race. ME&V will serve 10th anniversary cake and fall treats, and hold prize drawings.
UPS, 6104 Nordic Drive in the Cedar Falls Industrial and Technology Park, a lead sponsor, is assisting ME&V organize the ride. Additional sponsors include Allen Hospital; Bike Tech; Brown Bottle/Montage Restaurants; Cedar Falls Recreation Center; Game Stop; Great Clips; Hudson Hardware, Plumbing and Heating, Inc.; Hy-Vee; Mulligan’s; Papa D’s; Sally Beauty Supply; Scheels and Zsavooz.
For more information about the rides, contact Monte Bowden or Justin Tolan at ME&V at 319-268-9151. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, ME&V serves clients through its Advertising and Consulting, Fundraising Advisers, Healthcare Marketing and Nonprofit Marketing specialty divisions.
With offices in Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ME&V offers a wide spectrum of creative marketing services through its expertise in animation, audio/video production, cinematography, copywriting, fundraising, graphic design, interactive services, media placement, public relations and research.
