Due to inclement weather conditions, Moving to End Sexual Assault's major fundraiser the 9th Annual Canine Classic did not see the same number of runners this year as in the past. The registrations for the 2009 Canine Classic, originally scheduled for April 19th, were ahead of last year's until bad weather came to town. The event was postponed from April 19th to April 25th due to the snowy and wet weather, unfortunately, April 25th turned out to be a very rainy and cold day. This type of weather is devastating to a nonprofit organization as it deters individuals from signing up on the day of the event and many of the pre-registered individuals decide to stay home. It is the nature of outdoor events.
Faced with a potential shortfall of $10,000+, and with many pre-registered runners calling to claim their Canine Classic t-shirt, the staff at Moving to End Sexual Assault had a dilemma on their hands. The Canine Classic T-shirt bears the art of local artist Kristin Sheldon of Heart Strings Card Company. Many runners come back year after year to collect these t-shirts. Unfortunately, shipping the t-shirts to everyone would cost MESA a minimum of $ 1,000.
Each kid on my junior team, Flatiron Flyers, is required to complete a certain number of community service hours." explains Cari Higgins, a world class cyclist on the ProMan Professional Cycling Team and coach for the Flatiron Flyers "We thought we would do something as a group to help out MESA, because they are an awesome local non-profit. We did a reverse scavenger hunt which means we followed maps/address/written communication to deliver t-shirts to those people who could not make the Canine Classic but paid in advance. People were thrilled when they opened the door and received the t-shirt from the junior cyclists. "
The team rode their bikes all over Boulder including a few extra stops in Louisville. All the packages for Lafayette and Longmont were delivered by Employment Link , an Boulder based organization that works with individuals with disabilities. It is a great program that actively supports the inclusion of individuals with disabilities within the community. Employment Link, brought out a group of their members to help deliver the t-shirts to the other areas.
"This is what it means to be part of a community" said Deirdre Moynihan, MESA's Director of Development and Public Information "Groups coming together to solve problems and make a difference. MESA saved critical funds and had the opportunity to work with youths and individuals with disabilities. It was great and it truly helped us. These groups definitely brought sunshine to our wet weather issues!"
MESA's Canine Classic is a 5K/10K Run or Walk around Boulder Reservoir with dogs that helps raise needed funds for Boulder County's only rape crisis team. The funds help support the 24 hour Rape Crisis Hotline as well as other services for individuals that have been affected by sexual assault. Additionally, the funds support the community education program that is working to help educate the public about how to prevent sexual assault. The Canine Classic usually has 1,000 runners and 750 dogs
