Easter Seals Blake Foundation Selected as El Tour’s New Primary Beneficiary

Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

Registration Opens on February 4

TUCSON, Ariz. (February 4, 2015) – Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc. is pleased to announce the selection of Easter Seals Blake Foundation (ESBF) of Tucson to become the primary beneficiary of the 2015 El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino del Sol Resort.

“We are excited that Easter Seals Blake Foundation, after two years participation as a supporting beneficiary, has taken on the position of primary beneficiary. At the same time, our association with Special Olympics has come to an end; we thank them for their support and their positive impact in the community,” said Richard J. DeBernardis, founder and president of Perimeter Bicycling. “We share the viewpoint of Easter Seals Blake Foundation. El Tour is an event that all individuals can use to address physical and mental challenges and as a means of coping with all life’s challenges in a healthy way.”

“Easter Seals Blake Foundation is fully committed to the health and well-being of our community. To be selected as the primary beneficiary for El Tour offers us a wonderful opportunity to highlight our shared values,” said Ema Kammeyer, C.E.O. of Easter Seals Blake Foundation. “El Tour demonstrates the essence of what Easter Seals is about: working in partnership, providing support and inspiring action so that everyone can reach for and realize their full potential.”

El Tour’s primary beneficiary and title sponsor in 2014 was Special Olympics, but in light of other major organizational priorities this year – such as the Special Olympics World Games and the first-ever Unified Relay Across America – Special Olympics will not be returning in its role. “We were honored to be a part of the 2014 El Tour. We hope Arizonans and cyclists everywhere are inspired to continue to Ride Unified and support their local Special Olympics athletes in their hometowns,” said Kymberly Jordan, Director, Special Events, Special Olympics.

Registration will open online Feb 4. The 33^rd El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino Del Sol Resort will be held Saturday, November 21. El Tour, America’s largest perimeter bicycling event, brings in more than 18,000 visitors from across the country and around the world, contributing an estimated $18 – $30 million in direct spending on ride weekend alone as well as $50 – $70 million year-round.

One of Perimeter Bicycling’s major goals is to raise money for local non-profit organizations. Since its inception, more than 151,000 cyclists have participated in El Tour de Tucson and raised in excess of $51 million dollars for such charitable agencies as Easter Seals Blake Foundation, Special Olympics, Tu Nidito Children and Family Services, Rotary International, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Juvenal Diabetes Research Foundation and other Perimeter charities. In 2014, 43 El Tour beneficiaries raised $8.7M.

About Easter Seals Blake Foundation

The Blake Foundation, founded in 1950, started with one program in Tucson, AZ, serving young children with Cerebral Palsy. Sharing a close philosophical affinity with Easter Seals, in 2007 the Blake Foundation became an affiliate. This opportunity offered access to national brand recognition and program resources. Currently with a budget of $34M Easter Seals Blake Foundation offers 155 programs, serving more 18,000 children, families and individuals in Pima, La Paz, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Gila, Pinal, Graham, Greenlee, Yuma, Maricopa and the five northern counties. In addition, ESBF has partnerships, collaborations and strategic affiliations across Southern Arizona.

Easter Seals Blake Foundation is dedicated to the idea that all people deserve the chance to live healthy, productive and independent lives. Our educational, therapeutic, behavioral health, family support and community living programs are designed in accordance with our mission: to enable each individual served to discover and meet his or her maximum potential for independent, productive living and developmental growth.

About Perimeter Bicycling

Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax exempt organization responsible for the production and promotion of five major bicycling events – El Tour de Tucson, El Tour de Mesa, Cochise County Cycling Classic, El Tour de Vegas and Indoor El Tour – as well as an annual fall and spring Bicycle, Fitness & Health Expo, El Tour Adventure Walk/Run, and El Tour Fun Rides. Perimeter Bicycling also supports and promotes El Tour de Mt. Fuji and El Tour de Kusatsu, held annually in Japan. All events are modeled after Perimeter’s concept of cycling in pursuit of wellness.

For more information on Perimeter Bicycling please call 520-745-2033, visit www.perimeterbicycling.com,

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