Stuart Hunter didn’t know what to expect when he came up with the Pelotonia re-contribution idea.
“Pelotonia was a great cause and we decided to put the re-contribution idea together and see what happened,” said Stuart, who runs the area’s three roll: bike shops.
Let’s just say the idea has exploded, to the tune of close to $90,000 in donations to Pelotonia for cancer research: $30,000 in 2009 – and $57,000 in 2010!
“It’s been beyond our wildest expectations,” Stuart said.
Here’s how the roll: re-contribution works for all registered Pelotonia riders: 10 percent of the purchase price of anything and everything you buy at roll: is put directly into your fund raising account. Buy an $800 bike – and $80 goes into your Pelotonia account.
Here's Stuart in action at one of the roll: shops
“We’re committed to Pelotonia and its mission,” Stuart said. “We see the (big jump in 2010 re-contributions) as a barometer for the community’s growing support for Pelotonia. We hope it will increase in 2011 and we’re proud to be part of it.
One of the best aspects of the re-contribution program has been meeting and getting to know Pelotonia riders, Stuart said. “The personal stories of the people who come in are so inspirational. Some are survivors, some are riding for a survivor, some are caregivers. And we’ve met a lot of the physicians and staff from The James, and when you talk to them you can see their commitment and the direct correlation between the money we raise and the work they do.”
The roll: re-contribution plan will be in place again in 2011. This means that as soon as you register for Pelotonia, which you can do on January 11, you can head over to roll: and start fund raising when you buy winter gear, an indoor trainer or that new bike you’ve been lusting after – and deserve.
Roll: also has a peloton, Teamroll:, which included 12 members who raised $24,649 in 2010.
“I rode Pelotonia the last two years and I’ll be riding it again this year,” Stuart said. “I’ll be riding it every year. And the message I want to give everyone is sign up. There’s no downside, everyone wins and it will be something you’ll never forget.”
