Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid is one of my top-ten favorite movies of all time.
In the final scene, Butch and Sundance are surrounded. After some concluding wisecracks, they boldly confront the entire Bolivian army in one final, futile last stand.
Earlier there’s a wonderful scene, including a memorable 60’s song, in which Butch invites Etta to “meet the future”—a bicycle. I put a video at the end of this post that shows his misguided attempts at trick riding.
The cycle is one obvious connection between this iconic film and RICH’S RIDE. Becky, Monte, and I are also surrounded. This journey of hope’s encircled by a huge circle of folks who’ve caught the vision of this crazy dream. You’re an essential part of that circle.
You pray for us and encourage us. You invite your friends to like the Rich’s Ride Facebook page and follow us (@Rich_Dixon, @BeckyDixon11) on Twitter (#richsride). The social media helps spread the word, but it’s a lot bigger than that. Every retweet, share, and comment reminds us we’re not doing this alone. On a trainer in the garage or a lonely road in the middle of nowhere, knowing we’re surrounded keeps us going.
I want to tell you a bit about one special part of the circle—our sponsors. These folks underwrite our on-the-road expenses and allow us to devote fundraising efforts to Convoy Of Hope. We couldn’t do any of this without their vision and generosity. They’re not doing it for publicity, but I want to acknowledge their contributions.
WE’RE SURROUNDED!
Otterbox has been our lead sponsor from the beginning. Curt and Nancy Richardson have written the classic entrepreneur’s story, building a global enterprise from a garage workbench. Their support of a variety of community and global causes through corporate giving and Ottercares Foundation demonstrates their commitment to doing good by doing well.
Yancey’s Food Service is a Fort Collins institution, a family business with a big heart for community service. Greg Yancey and his family support a range of community causes. We’re proud to be one of them.
First National Bank is an enormous corporation. Mark Driscoll, President of FNB Fort Collins, has made it personal and assisted in more ways than we could list.
Brinkman Partners has a unique connection to Rich’s Ride. Paul and Kevin Brinkman were students (a loooong time ago) in my math classes. It’s a special honor to share this new partnership with them.
Dr. Garrett DeVries heard our story from a friend. He thought it was cool, and offered to purchase the trailer that hauls our stuff down the road.
Chris Otto and Kirk Noonan (and their families) contributed multi-day on-the-road sponsorships. We value their support. We value their friendship more.
One problem with this sort of list—it’s difficult to know where to stop, because so many people and organizations have helped us tell others we’re defined by ability, not disability. Our sponsor page lists some of them.
You don’t follow a dream by yourself. Dream-following is a community effort because that’s how God made us.
Thankfully, we’re surrounded.
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If you’re around my age, I’ll bet you recall this scene. The bull near the end reminds me—I still have to figure out the alligator thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_5l6rIUu4A
Can’t see the video? Click here.
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