Press room ... 2001 archive

Project Inform Supporters Cycle Through
Tuscany to Raise Funds for HIV/AIDS Treatment Information and Advocacy

August 15, 2001

San Francisco—Project Inform will be one of the beneficiaries of funds raised through a ten-day bike ride through Italy's Tuscan hills. Project Inform and The Youth Project in Seattle, Washington will be the recipients of the funds raised through the ride-taking place from September 22 to October2.

The ride was conceived by a dedicated group of fundraisers who participated in bike rides around the United States-for the betterment of the world and for their own pleasure. The group of thirteen riders originally met on a seven-day AIDS Ride in 1998, and have since been on rides in Hawaii, Alaska, Texas, California, Boston to New York, and Minneapolis to Chicago.

Project Inform Board Member Jim Gutschick was on hand for that first event three years ago and remarked, "I enjoy this type of activity the most—the kind that weds a worthy cause to my personal love of riding and traveling," Gutschick said. "These events mean a great deal to all of us cycling for these causes."

"Both Project Inform and The Youth Project are enthusiastic about this unique bike ride in Tuscany," added Gutschick. "Our commitment to providing 100% of the proceeds to the beneficiaries sets this event up as example of another innovative approach to helping nonprofits maintain their much-needed services."

The group's fundraising success is impressive-riding several thousand miles and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support worthwhile organizations. Then, during an intense ride in the fall of 2000, they decided they could fundraise even more effectively by organizing an event of their own. And so the Tuscany Ride was born.

The cyclists will ride through the hills of the Tuscan countryside, at their own expense, ensuring that 100% of the funds raised go directly to benefit the two groups. "We were very concerned about which organizations to choose as beneficiaries," Gutschick explained. "All of us contribute in various ways to many different causes, so we wanted to come to some shared agreement. After careful review, these charities were selected because of the importance of their cause, our devotion to their missions and the organizations' strict financial management."

Community participation in support of this event is simple. Individuals from the community as well as organizations, companies and foundations can all assist in the ride's success through donor support. All donations can be mailed directly to the following address:

• Project Inform,
• c/o Seattle Counseling Service,
• Fundraising Program,
• 112 Broadway East,
• Seattle, WA 98102.

The proceeds will be divided equally to both organizations.