July 21, 2020

Dear El Grupo Supporter,

Today, we need your help. The Covid-19 virus has had an impact on El Grupo’s finances, but not on our strong desire to move forward. In the last four months, we had to suspend programs, events, and our beloved Summer Bike Camp. But we have continued to move forward and are determined to get kids back on bikes by the fall.

With your support, we can keep kids riding bikes now and into the fall. A generous El Grupo supporter has offered to match every dollar raised up to $10,000.

Please donate today!

Can you help us? This spring, we connected to our youth via the web because we could not ride with them. Our coaches encouraged them to be on their bikes with their families, and many continued to ride. Some of our youth created goals, independently and with the help of coaches. One high school rider went on a 100-mile ride by himself and three of our middle school riders rode to Bisbee during the program shutdown.

You can double the impact of your gift this summer. Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000.

Please donate today.

In early May, inspired by our youth’s determination, we started riding again. Not in a group at first, but with our new Head Coach Gord Fraser riding one-on-one with some of our program youth. And then we reengaged our dedicated volunteer coaches to help us stage a time trial which allowed for social distancing. In June, we started holding practices with groups of six to eight, everyone wearing masks. We’re now preparing for a new time trial challenge, this time on dirt. We hope to bring what we learned from riding with Team El Grupo youth this summer to our other after-school programs - Grupito, Manzo Bike Club, and Backpacking - in the fall or as soon as it’s responsible to do so.

Help us reach our goal of $20,000. Give today!

*Team El Grupo Youth

Empowering Youth Through Bicycles

This morning, we received a message from a mom that speaks to the youth empowerment of El Grupo.

“My son has grown immensely in his time at El Grupo and is truly a different person because of this awesome organization. He has dramatically increased his confidence, found his voice, and realized that he can work harder than he ever thought was possible. He has found a family of friends and adults who he knows will love him and have his back no matter what.” ~ Mom, Team El Grupo

With your financial support, we will keep kids riding this summer and be prepared to start up our other programs at the Clubhouse and at Manzo Elementary School in the fall. And remember that you can designate your Arizona tax credit dollars to El Grupo! Our QCO Code is 20924. You can give up to $400 as an individual or $800 as a couple to El Grupo, a qualifying charitable organization and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit.

Your past commitment and confidence in El Grupo Youth Cycling got us through these past several months – thank you! Now we need your financial help to help us get through the summer and into the fall. With the help of a generous El Grupo supporter’s $10,000 matching gift, you can double the value of your gift and help us reach our goal of $20,000. Thank you in advance for your support.

Respectfully,

Lisa Anne Trudinger-Smith El Grupo Board of Directors, Chair

P.S. “El Grupo has had a monumental impact on my life. I have found a new version of myself who I am much more proud of and confident with. On and off the bike, my abilities and comfort level in unfamiliar situations has grown immensely.” ~ Team El Grupo Youth

Please support El Grupo today! TAKE THE CREDIT. Designate your Arizona tax credit dollars today and support youth development by empowering youth through bicycles! Our QCO Code is 20924

*Manzo Elementary School Bike Club

Donate online today at www.elgrupocycling.org/donate