Putting The Fun In Fundraising -- Two 350Vermont Volunteers Participate In Climate Ride by Alex Messinger & Catherine Bock

Alex — In the Spring of 2022 I was lucky enough to secure time off to hike the Colorado Trail over the summer- 485 miles from Denver to Durango. I wanted to add some meaning to the trip, and so decided to turn it into a fundraiser. I had heard of a nonprofit called Climate Ride, which organizes mass multi-day bike rides and hikes around the country to raise money for environmental groups.  Participants choose one or more organizations to benefit from their fundraising efforts, and their website provides simple tools for collecting donations and thanking contributors.  There were 2 things that I didn't know--  you don't need to participate in one of their events, you can dream up your own adventure, and they have a matching gift program. 

Alex Messinger, attempting his first climate ride (hike)

With a little bit of work I solicited family and friends and raised $1900.  My secret weapon is to offer home baked cookies to donors of $100 or more.  And I'm not talking slice and bake supermarket dough here-- I mean browned butter, fair trade chocolate, the real deal.  Tragically an injury kept me from completing (or even starting) the hike, but I am training daily for another try in 2023.

Catherine — I first learned about the Climate Ride organization in 2011 from an email a friend sent me. Having never been on an organized bike tour it seemed like a great vacation, but more like a climate conference on wheels. I signed up for a 5 day ride, 350 miles down the Northern California coast.  What could be better: full food service, prepared campsites, vehicles to transport luggage, presentations on climate issues every night and best of all, support vehicles for people who got tired?  Two of my brothers joined me, all of us were riding electric bikes and loving every minute of the experience except for the rain. The 2011 California ride  became known as the storm ride because it rained so much. One of my brothers said, “never again”  but two of us did the same ride the following year in wonderful weather. My brother has done 6 rides and I just signed up for my 15th ride because it keeps me inspired to continue the work for climate justice.

For me there is nothing better than biking with other climate champions, learning about the work they do and just having fun. Then there is the added advantage that at least 60% of the price I pay to join the rides goes to non profit climate groups. Over the years I have supported many different organizations including 350VT and since 2008 the climate ride organization has donated $10,907,891 to over a hundred different groups. 

A Note from Staff — If you like biking perhaps you can bike to heal the planet by joining a climate ride. There are still spots left on the Vermont ride this September.  Both Catherine (tinki.bock@gmail.com) and Alex (alex.messinger@gmail.com) would be happy to talk with you about their experiences.