by: Chelsea Taylor
Friday, November 20, 2015 | 6:00 AM
AMSOIL Ironman GNCC Raises Over $8,000 For Breast Cancer Awareness
Donations Made to Montgomery County Free Clinic
The 2015 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC), presented by Maxxis, concluded on October 31 and November 1 at the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC season finale in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The event was deemed a “pink race” in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, where various methods were positioned to raise money for the cause, resulting in a grand total of $8,277.45.
All the funds that were raised were donated to the Montgomery County Free Clinic (MCFC), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free mammogram examinations. A recent partnership with Montgomery County Community Foundation (MCCF) has allowed MCFC to continue to provide support for those affected by breast cancer. MCCF matched 50 cents to every dollar that was raised at the Ironman GNCC.
“The Montgomery County community is so grateful to the GNCC Ironman and Yamaha Motor Corporation for the donations to the MCFC Faith Alliance Fund. The gifts could not have come at a better time as the MCCF has a matching gift program in place that will match every dollar given with 50 cents,” said MCCF Executive Director Kelly Taylor. “With these gifts, our community will continue to provide support and increase awareness to those with breast cancer and most of all give hope to those who are battling this disease. Specifically, these funds will be used to fund mammograms, testing, wigs and other needed services to those affected by breast cancer in our community.”
Donations for MCFC were raised a variety of ways with the first being pink backgrounds from Powersport Grafx. Front number plates resulted in a $5 donation, while a full set of front and side backgrounds included a $10 donation. Background sales stemmed a $500 donation. In addition, Ride PG sold exclusive GNCC breast cancer awareness stickers for a minimum of a $1 donation that raised over $170 dollars.
Additional funds were raised after the check presentation, increasing the amount by over $600
The original t-shirt artwork, from the entire season were auctioned off resulting in over $3,000 being raised for MCFC, along with the custom pink podium backdrop that sold for an astonishing $1450.
In addition, Yamaha Motor Corporation donated $60 for every class championship won by Yamaha racer. With all the 2015 championships decided, there would be a total of 22 championships, including 13 ATV and nine bikes, donating $1320 to Breast Cancer Awareness.
Zakowski Motorsports conducted their own fundraiser that took place throughout the entire 13-round season. Their initial goal of $17,000 was surpassed with a final total of $19,144.52. The amount was split evenly with $4500 going to the American Cancer Society, MCFC, Ohio Breast Cancer Fund, Pink Ribbon Riders and the Spierings Cancer Foundation.
“Each year we talk to people and hear the stories of loved ones going through the disease or of those lost,” said Linda Zakowski. “It’s such an emotional weekend on so many aspects, but I think the thing that sticks out in my mind the most is how young kids want to be involved and make a statement about breast cancer. I had so many teens and young adults hand over $20 and they would say ‘keep the change.’ Now, that to me is just an incredible gesture of kindness.”
The 2015 Award Banquets will be hosted in Morgantown, West Virginia on December 18 and 19. For more information on the series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Also follow the official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for exclusive content and to catch the latest news.