Star Track Needs Your Help

UPDATE 6/13/12

Dear NYC Cycling Community,
Star Track just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for the incredible response to the accident that happened two months ago. It is because of your generosity that we were able to replace the container and bikes that were damaged and therefore not have to turn any children away from our program. We needed $5000 and incredibly, between the ChipIn and the checks that were mailed in, that was almost exactly what we were able to raise. In addition, we also got some very helpful donations of track bikes and equipment that we were able to use to “update” several bikes (which the kids put to good use last weekend at T-Town earning several medals at Regionals!) We are also thrilled to see that there are more chances for the children to race outside of the track than ever before. We hope you will continue your support by cheering our amazing kids on! And special thanks to the below people and groups that really went the extra mile for us:

Lenox Advisors
CRCA Board
CRCA JR. Dev.
NYVelocity.com
Foundation Cycling Team
Champion Systems/Stan’s NoTubes Cycling Team
Jaimie Hubbard
Joseph Brennan
Noah Roy
Steven van der Zwan
Kissena Velo Fund
Affinity Cycles
Brent Butterworth
Claudette Lajam
Nick Eisenman
Rod Millot
Todd Bender
Steve Kang
Eric Robertson
Adam Pollack

Yours in sport,
Deirdre Bader
Founder and Director
Star Track

(Original writeup below)

From the Star Track program:

The mission of Star Track is to be a year-round afterschool track cycling program in New York City at the Kissena Velodrome in Queens. They aspire to improve the lives of New York City’s underserved children, ages 9-13, by teaching them teamwork through the principles of bicycle racing. For many of these children, the program is their only regular athletic activity.

As you may or may not be aware, last Wednesday evening a vehicle traveling at high speed rammed into the storage container in which Star Track keeps all of its track bikes at the Kissena Velodrome. Whether or not this was intentional at this point still remains a mystery. What is a fact is that 16 or so bikes were totaled along with the storage container, the racks inside and the most of the trophies for the kids.

Without the replacement of the bikes, children will either need to double-up during class or simply turned away – neither which is an option we would like to see. It is for that reason, we are trying to raise money to replace the bikes, racks and container as quickly as possible.

If you would like to make a donation, a Chipin has been set up: http://startrack.chipin.com/star-track-nyc

Because Star Track has a 501c3 exemption through its fiscal sponsor, City Parks Foundation, those that would like a charitable gift receipt can send their checks payable to "City Parks Foundation”, please put "Star Track" in the memo line and mail to: Star Track c/o Bike NY, 475 Riverside Drive, 13th Fl., NY, NY 10115.

Thank you so much for your help for supporting this program and these amazing kids!