BBBSNEW Blog

Local business teams aim for 100 miles a day in fundraiser for youth mentoring

GREEN BAY, Wis.— Lead by their top executives, local employees will be putting on miles next week for a good cause as part of a unique new fundraiser benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin (BBBSNEW).

Miles for Matches presented by Prevea will feature 18 companies whose employees will be challenged to bike at least 100 miles collectively in one day. This one-week spin challenge showcases companies and their CEOs/leaderships’ support for health, positive competition and youth mentoring in our communities.

“By bringing teams of employees together to rally around youth mentoring, we not only help companies build a healthy team spirit with their CEOs leading the effort, but we also raise awareness for the urgent need for mentors in our community,” says Katie Hess, executive director.

The event will take place from 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily between June 17 and 21 with three to four of the 18 teams competing each day. Cyclists from each company’s team will race throughout their competition day on stationary bikes provided by Broken Spoke Bike Studio of Green Bay at the company’s offices, which includes locations in Appleton, De Pere, Green Bay, Hobart and Pulaski. Each company’s CEO/leadership representative will be featured during spin sessions each day from noon to 1 p.m.

An online tracking program attached to each stationary bike will create a real-time leaderboard of teams’ total mileage. At the end of the week, trophies will be awarded for top miles, best looking leader, spirit and most funds raised.

The event is made possible through support from Prevea and Broken Spoke Bike Studio, along with the following participating organizations: Associated Bank, Bay Tek Entertainment, Breakthrough, Broken Spoke Bike Studio, Cellcom, Greater Green Bay Chamber, Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hoffman Planning, Design and Construction, Humana, KI, Nicolet National Bank, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Packer Fastener, Prevea, Rodac Development & Construction and Western Racquet & Fitness Club.

Fellow employees, friends and family will be invited to cheer on each competitor and support them and/or their team through donations on their team fundraising website. Donations can be made at www.classy.org/campaign/miles-for-matches-2019 by clicking on “Donate Now” or scrolling to “Support A Fundraiser.”

The event also will include representatives from several nonprofits who will join BBBSNEW’s Hess to put miles on a bike Friday, June 21, at the agency.

The event shines the light on the need for mentors. The youth mentoring program, which provides services in Brown, Door and Shawano counties, served 603 children in 2018. There are more than 100 children on the waiting list to be matched right now.

In the simple act of being themselves, mentors help children realize their full potential. Any adult who cares about children can become a mentor. Go to bbbsnew.org and click on “Be A Big” to learn more, or call 920-498-2227.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin is the premier youth mentoring organization serving Brown, Door and Shawano counties, serving more than 600 children in 2018. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally-supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Founded in 1972, we are a 100 percent donor and volunteer supported nonprofit organization.

Competition Schedule

Monday
Greater Green Bay Chamber (featuring Radke, CEO and President)
Humana (featuring Mark Wernicke, Vice President of Provider Development)
Western Racquet & Fitness Club (featuring Mary Thomas, General Manager and Owner)
Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau – Brad Toll, CEO and President

Tuesday
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (featuring Bob Mathews, Vice President for Business and Finance)
Packer Fastener (featuring Terry Albrecht, President)
Hoffman Planning, Design and Construction (featuring Sam Statz, President)
Bay Tek Entertainment

Wednesday
Breakthrough  (featuring Heather Mueller, Chief Operating Officer)
Associated Bank (featuring Denis Hogan, Regional President)
Nicolet National Bank (featuring Bob Atwell, CEO & President, along with Bigs & Littles)

Thursday
Rodac Development & Construction (Rich Otradovec, CEO & President)
Cellcom (featuring Brighid Riordan, CINO & VP of Emerging Services and Public Affairs)
Broken Spoke Bike Studio (featuring George Kapitz, Owner)

Friday
Prevea (Dr. Ashok Rai, CEO & President)
KI (featuring Brian Krenke, CEO & President)
BBBSNEW (featuring Katie Hess, Executive Director)