A4 will sponsor the fourth-annual Jackson's Ride the Gorge, a fundraising bicycle ride that will tour the Columbia River Gorge on July 18th, 2009 to support the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation. The non-profit organization provides support to patients and families living with this specific cancer. The event is named after and inspired by Jackson Hill, who passed away from sarcoma at the age of 12.
With A4's support, hundreds of cyclists will roll along gorgeous routes to bring in thousands of dollars for the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation. Every participant will raise a minimum $100, and many will raise hundreds more to support this important cause.
“The participant fundraising that fuels Jackson's Ride the Gorge directly aligns with A4's passion for community involvement,” says A4 president Mark Mertens. A4 hopes that the Sporting Goods Industry will participate or make tax-deductible donations directly through the event website, JacksonsRideTheGorge.org.
The Fourth Annual Jackson's Ride the Gorge honors the legacy of Jackson Hill, a young boy who loved sports, cycling and spending time in the Columbia River Gorge – even after the disease claimed his left leg. His parents Melissa and David Hill have long been active in the sports industry – Melissa as a running coach and David as a sports industry executive at Wilson, Nike, and now A4.
“My husband and I vowed, as Jackson grew weaker, we would do everything in our power to help other children and families avoid our fate,” says Melissa Hill.
