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!
NYC Cyclists can be a bunch of snide asshats who take amateur races in the park way too seriously, but wow–$2600. That’s awesome and makes me feel proud to be one of those asshats.
For example:
Stephanie Torres, who learned how to ride a bicycle at Star Track at the age of 13, won a Bronze Medal in the 500m Time Trial at the U.S. Junior National Championships in Frisco, TX, July 7, 2011.
Please help out if you can.
I think you mean underprivileged
excuse my dyslexia
Did anyone get a report filed with the local authorities?
That will cost you a $5 donation 😉
even if i can’t read, 😉 i am one step ahead of you on that … already donated $100.00 🙂
Thank you to the 19 other people that donated so far. Another reason why I love the NYC cycling community is how we come together when needed. Well done!
Why doesn’t someone contact the BILLIONARE Bloomberg, it would be pennies for him to give a few grand, not to mention be a tax right off! (or does he only know how to increase taxes)?
why don’t you take a tax right off? whatever that means.
And if you would like one, please follow the instructions below:
ps Thank you to everyone who has contributed thus far. Even the few $5 pledges that have been received are extremely appreciated by the program!
Because Star Track has a 501c3 exemption through the parks department, those that would like a charitable gift receipt can send their checks payable to “New York City Parks Departmentâ€: Star Track c/o Bike NY 475 Riverside Drive 13th Fl. NY, NY 10015 Please put “Star Track†in the memo line.
If you donate $500, they’ll put your name one of their bikes. Think of it, for such a low price, some future world champion will always think of you when he or she gets on a bike.
Thanks for posting and setting up the Chip In Andy. Just threw a 50 into the hat.
Ride strong little buckos.
I just posted it. Greg Olsen did the all or most of the work.
Serotta for straightening the bikes that were knocked out of allignment.
Many of the Star Trackers will be competing in the Harlem kids’s race this Sunday at Noon. If you can arrive a little early before your race, please come and cheer them and the other children on.
Good to hear it. So they are good?
Thank you for asking. Short answer, yes. Though like any other donor funded / volunteer organizations, Star Track will need to be continually supported by the community. However, thanks to the generosity of the above folks and many others, a major disruption to the program was happily avoided.