 |
 |
| THE HISTORY OF SPINODYSSEY |
The "SPINODYSSEY" concept began with Delia Thompson and Amelie (Amy) Babkie, two fitness
professionals in southwestern Connecticut seeking a way to celebrate the dawn of the new
millennium while helping a good cause. Inspired by their students' enthusiasm for indoor cycling,
the popular group fitness indoor cycling workout, and the battle against breast cancer being
waged by Delia's sister, the two hosted the first "Millennium Ride" on January 1, 2000.
The first event featured 50 bikes and riders, and raised $5,244, all of which was donated
to American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Research.
_________________________
The "Millennium Ride" became "SPINODYSSEY" in 2001,
and attracted more riders and funds, raising $22,383, a trend that continued in 2002
(the total was $40,155), again all being donated to an ACS Breast Cancer Researcher.
While the numbers continued to grow, the SPINODYSSEY steering committee remained true
to the mission of keeping SpinOdyssey a 100% volunteer-run event.
_________________________
Planning for SPINODYSSEY 2003 was already underway by the summer of 2002,
when the event was rocked by two tragic events. SPINODYSSEY 2002 committee member
Bill Fox - the very first person to sign up to participate in the "Millennium Ride" and described as
the "heart and soul" of the event by fellow volunteers - was killed in an outdoor cycling accident.
Soon thereafter, event co-founder Delia Thompson was herself diagnosed with breast cancer.
In honor of their friends' courage and past contributions, the SPINODYSSEY 2003 committee
redoubled its efforts to create an even more a successful fundraising event.
In 2003, SPINODYSSEY raised $86,850 in pledges directly given again to an ACS breast cancer researcher. SPINODYSSEY 2003 attracted more than 200 riders of all ages and fitness levels to
Formula for Fitness in Norwalk. And the organizers stayed true to their commitment of low overhead:
in 2003 SPINODYSSEY spent only $1,900 of registration fees for overhead such as insurance &
the sound system. From the remaining registration fees SPINODYSSEY also donated on 12/31/03 to:
Swim Across the Sound:
$1,000 Donated for breast cancer support services such as mammograms.
Laura Hartenbaum Breast Cancer Foundation:
$2,850 Donated for breast cancer research. 100% goes to research.
Breast Cancer Survival Center:
$2,850 Donated for breast cancer support services such as mammograms.
_________________________
As a result of the generous support of riders & sponsors, SPINODYSSEY 2004 on February 8th
hosted by the Fitness and Tennis Club of Norwalk broke all past fundraising and attendance records!
More than 270 riders over the course of six hours pedaled on 167 bikes (145 of which were
generously donated by Star Trac of CA) to raise $190,000+, again all donated directly to
an ACS breast cancer researcher.
And true to its mission of low overhead, only $4,724 from registration fees was spent on
overhead in 2004; a reusable expense of carpeting was another $2,967. Approximately $5,000
of additional registration fees from 2004 will be donated towards breast cancer
charities again by year's end.
_________________________
SPINODYSSEY 2005 donated $200,000 in pledge checks to the American Cancer Society,
which funded breast cancer researchers, and another $8,975 from the door prizes to
The Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital.
_________________________
SPINODYSSEY 2006 on March 5, again at the Fitness & Tennis Club
at 490 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851, raised $300,000+ for American Cancer Society
breast cancer researchers and $12,000 to fund a patient in a breast cancer trial at to
The Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital.
_________________________
SPINODYSSEY 2007 on March 4,
at the Fitness & Tennis Club at 490 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851,
raised $500,000+ for American Cancer Society breast cancer researchers and $33,000
to fund a patient in a breast cancer trial at to The Whittingham Cancer Center
at Norwalk Hospital.
_________________________
SPINODYSSEY 2008 on March 2, again raised over $500,000 and again was hosted by the
Fitness & Tennis Club at 490 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851! Pledges of over $500,000
fully-funded four ACS breast cancer researchers. ALSO, over $19,000 was given to
Whittingham Cancer Center to support patients in breast cancer clinical trials.
NEW to the event was TENNISODYSSEY, a six hour marathon on three tennis courts
which saw tennis players age 9-18 hit over 30,000 and raise $20,000!
_________________________
SPINODYSSEY 2009 WAS OUR TENTH ANNIVERSARY RIDE
We raised $250, 000 in one day . . . AND OVER $2 MILLION OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS!
_________________________
On Sunday, March 1st the SPINODYSSEY 2009 rode FOR THE 10TH TIME!
We added the newest and funnest fitness Craze to our options . . . ZUMBA!
We offered 4 hours of ZUMBA to grow our fund-raising opportunities.
It was such a success that next year . . .
_________________________
SPINODYSSEY 2010 FEATURED SPINNING • ZUMBA and TENNIS!
On Sunday, March 7th the SPINODYSSEY rode stronger than ever, Zumba’d with all their
Hearts n Souls, and Hit Tennis Balls for the 11th year in a row! Our goal was $350,000
and we finished with a GRAND TOTAL OF $410,000!
_________________________
SPINODYSSEY 2011 will FEATURE SPINNING! TENNIS! ZUMBA! HERMAN WALKER! BODY PUMP!
And for the first time ever we will run a simultaneous ZUMBAODYSSEY Event at
STUDIO M Dance • Fitness in Norwalk. Emm Wiki’s Brand NEW Studio in Norwalk!
There will be a TV hook-up and we’ll have simultaneous Presentations that we can all see
from both venues: At STUDIO M and at INTENSITY, our Perennial Hosts!
This is going to be OFF THE CHAIN!
SPINODYSSEY 2012 will AGAIN feature SPINNING! TENNIS! ZUMBA! HERMAN WALKER! BODY PUMP!
On Sunday, March 4th the SPINODYSSEY will SPIN, ZUMBA, HIT TENNIS BALLS,
WORK OUT WITH HERMAN and BODY PUMP stronger than ever
for the 13th year in a row!
OUR GOAL IS $400,000 - LET'S DO THIS!
REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! SIGN UP NOW! GO!
_________________________
| S |
|
|