Touchstone Blog Archive
Friday, July 1, 2011
Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program Comes to Ironworks
Last Week, Trooper Johnson, the Youth Sports Program Coordinator, and a half dozen kids from BORP, the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program, headed over to Berkeley Ironworks. BORP is the leading provider and promoter of accessible sports and recreation opportunities for children and adults with physical disabilities in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Using ascenders, strong upper bodies, and some technique, the kids had the opportunity to climb for the very first time.
“The one thing that stood out was when each kid got on the rope and started ascending, his/her teammates started cheering for them,” said Johnson about the day of climbing. “There was so much encouragement and energy for each other that it made it great to see how much each kid has grown to care for each other and see the value in the success of someone else. That was amazing.”
Trooper Johnson was paralyzed in a car accident when he was 17 years old as a result of drinking and driving. Since then, he has been a member of the United States National wheelchair basketball team for 15 years, competing in four Paralympic Games. More notable in the climbing community, Trooper was the 2nd paraplegic to climb El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, CA. He has been working with the BORP for the past few years, helping out with the youth programs.
The group was extremely excited about the climbing at Ironworks. “When the kids start talking about "next time" before they have even left the place you know it was a good day,” said Trooper. BORP should be heading back in August.
“The one thing that stood out was when each kid got on the rope and started ascending, his/her teammates started cheering for them,” said Johnson about the day of climbing. “There was so much encouragement and energy for each other that it made it great to see how much each kid has grown to care for each other and see the value in the success of someone else. That was amazing.”
Trooper Johnson was paralyzed in a car accident when he was 17 years old as a result of drinking and driving. Since then, he has been a member of the United States National wheelchair basketball team for 15 years, competing in four Paralympic Games. More notable in the climbing community, Trooper was the 2nd paraplegic to climb El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, CA. He has been working with the BORP for the past few years, helping out with the youth programs.
The group was extremely excited about the climbing at Ironworks. “When the kids start talking about "next time" before they have even left the place you know it was a good day,” said Trooper. BORP should be heading back in August.
Labels: BORP, parapelgic climbing, Trooper Johnson
¶ Friday, July 01, 2011 1 Comments
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Cycle to Support Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program
Attention Touchstone Cyclists and those that love/tolerate them. Touchstone wants to give you $150. There are only two catches. One, you have to ride your bicycle for a few hours on the happy, sunny roads of Sonoma County and then eat, drink and carouse to your heart's content. Two, you have to give the money we give you to BORP (Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program). Don't worry, you'll want to. Read on.
As many of you know, Touchstone is a long time supporter of BORP. Based in Berkeley and serving the larger Bay Area, BORP provides sports and other outdoor recreation opportunities for people with physical disabilities, especially kids. It's a pioneering organization, one that Touchstone is proud to be a part of. Each year, BORP puts on a truly wonderful cycling fundraiser called the Revolution or the REV. The routes are great; the food is great; the wine is great; the massages are great; the people are great; and the cause is great.
This year the REV is on Saturday October 16 at Trentadue Winery in Geyserville. Touchstone wants to see as many club and race team riders out there as possible. It's time to rally. Yes, you have to raise a minimum of $350 to participate. But remember, as a Touchstone Cyclist, Touchstone will contribute $150 in your name toward your fundraising goal. So all you really have to raise is $200. That's easy. But don't just shoot for the minimum. You are a cyclist darn it; dig deep. Plus, the more you raise the more you receive in the way of goodies. And even better, the more you raise the more BORP can help athletes just like you get out and experience what we all take for granted.
So what do you say, in or out? To learn more about BORP and register for the Rev 2010 go to: BORP
Be sure to select TOUCHSTONE CLIMBING as your team.
As many of you know, Touchstone is a long time supporter of BORP. Based in Berkeley and serving the larger Bay Area, BORP provides sports and other outdoor recreation opportunities for people with physical disabilities, especially kids. It's a pioneering organization, one that Touchstone is proud to be a part of. Each year, BORP puts on a truly wonderful cycling fundraiser called the Revolution or the REV. The routes are great; the food is great; the wine is great; the massages are great; the people are great; and the cause is great.
This year the REV is on Saturday October 16 at Trentadue Winery in Geyserville. Touchstone wants to see as many club and race team riders out there as possible. It's time to rally. Yes, you have to raise a minimum of $350 to participate. But remember, as a Touchstone Cyclist, Touchstone will contribute $150 in your name toward your fundraising goal. So all you really have to raise is $200. That's easy. But don't just shoot for the minimum. You are a cyclist darn it; dig deep. Plus, the more you raise the more you receive in the way of goodies. And even better, the more you raise the more BORP can help athletes just like you get out and experience what we all take for granted.
So what do you say, in or out? To learn more about BORP and register for the Rev 2010 go to: BORP
Be sure to select TOUCHSTONE CLIMBING as your team.
Labels: BORP, cycling, Touchstone Cycling
¶ Thursday, September 09, 2010 0 Comments
Friday, July 17, 2009
2009 Revolution Kick-Off Ride & BBQ! -Sat July, 18
On Saturday, July 18, the Touchstone Cycling team will be hosting the 2009 Revolution Kick-Off Party at the Adaptive Cycling Center in Berkeley.
The day starts at 10AM with your choice of two road rides (a faster drop ride and a shorter, no-drop ride). At the completion of the rides, we will celebrate the start of this year's Revolution season - starting around 1 PM.
There will be a BBQ and drinks along with a great raffle. And if this wasn't already enough you'll also have a chance to meet BORP athletes, learn more about BORP, and register for this year's Revolution Ride (September 26th).
Don't miss a great day of fun! Please RSVP to revolution@borp.org
On another note, we're hard at work on the 2009 Revolution Ride, Festival & Auction. We are in the process of designing this year's jerseys (for those of you who raise at least $750), and we are looking for a quote. We put a quote inside the collar of the jersey and if you have a quote you think would be good for this year's jersey, please email it to us. Best quote goes on the jersey!
On Saturday, July 18, the Touchstone Cycling team will be hosting the 2009 Revolution Kick-Off Party at the Adaptive Cycling Center in Berkeley.
The day starts at 10AM with your choice of two road rides (a faster drop ride and a shorter, no-drop ride). At the completion of the rides, we will celebrate the start of this year's Revolution season - starting around 1 PM.
There will be a BBQ and drinks along with a great raffle. And if this wasn't already enough you'll also have a chance to meet BORP athletes, learn more about BORP, and register for this year's Revolution Ride (September 26th).
Don't miss a great day of fun! Please RSVP to revolution@borp.org
On another note, we're hard at work on the 2009 Revolution Ride, Festival & Auction. We are in the process of designing this year's jerseys (for those of you who raise at least $750), and we are looking for a quote. We put a quote inside the collar of the jersey and if you have a quote you think would be good for this year's jersey, please email it to us. Best quote goes on the jersey!
Labels: Adaptive Cycling Center, BORP, Touchstone Cycling
¶ Friday, July 17, 2009 0 Comments
