The sun shined on 2011’s Seven Hills of Kirkland “Cycling to End Homelessness” event on Memorial Day, brightening this event that raised $97,000 from 1,240 registered cyclists, jersey sales, donations, and sponsorships from 18 businesses and community organizations.
Proceeds will benefit KITH’s programs that help families transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
Presenting Sponsor, the Rotary Club of Kirkland Downtown, generously supported the event with their donation of $10,000 and with volunteers on the event committee, at Marina Park, and throughout the course.
Platinum Sponsors Evergreen Hospital and Kirkland Kiwanis contributed $5,000 each. The Kiwanis also provided volunteers for the event and added a significant contribution to the 7 Hills weekend with their 2nd annual “Pancaking to End Homelessness” Pancake Breakfast the Saturday before the ride.
Starbuck’s perked up riders and volunteers with great coffee at Marina Park starting. Gregg’s Cycle, Pedal Dyamics and Kirkland Bicycle assisted cyclists with technical support. Neal Hubbard provided bagpipe music to encourage cyclists to keep pedaling uphill.
Silver Sponsors including Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Isagenix International, Health First Chiropractic, Acupuncture NW, Kirkland Life Chiropractic, and SportClips, with their very tall inflated sporty guy, greeted riders upon their return from the original 7 Hills route (almost 40 miles), the metric century (nearly 60 miles) and the full century (100 mile) routes.
Congratulations went to 7 Hills Raffle winners Donna Rosenberg, winner of the pre-registered rider raffle, who won a night stay in a luxury guest room at the Heathman Hotel, breakfast at Trellis and free valet parking; and C.B. Hooper, day of event raffle winner of one night in a lakefront guest room at The Woodmark Hotel, breakfast at The Beach Café, parking and incidentals.
This all-volunteer event demonstrates the power of more than 70 volunteers to make life change possible for the homeless.
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union’s enthusiastic team of volunteers served up strawberry shortcake to happy riders at Marina Park. All five food stops, support cars, and delivery trucks were fully staffed by 7 Hills volunteers.
KITH is grateful for the support of the community that made this year’s 7 Hills of Kirkland a great success.
