Basketball Great/World Philosopher Bill Walton Uses Bicycle As Vehicle For Pandemic Fundraiser
By Vivi Lin for LVSportsBiz.com
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The COVID-19 pandemic has done more than shut down the world’s sports industry. It has also grounded sports’ related public events and local fundraisers, with event coordinators seeking alternative and creative ways to raise funding for their causes.
Enter basketball Hall-of-Famer, fun bicyclist and always colorful Bill Walton to jump into action and make the pivot with a team of leaders to debut the global Bike for Humanity event.
San Diego’s Walton, who is a big fan of Las Vegas, has figured out a creative way to raise money in the age of the coronavirus pandemic. On Saturday from 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Walton is encouraging bicyclists of all types to pedal solo rides in their own communities for as long as two hours. Supporting federal CDC guidelines for physical distancing, event coordinators recommend bicycle riders maintain a distance of six feet, 11 inches — Walton’s height.
Just to make sure you’re clear, Walton strongly emphasized that Bike for Humanity is not a group ride and and group rides are prohibited because of coronavirus physical distancing. Participating bicyclists can ride anywhere in their own communities as long as they practice social distancing.
with the global health Coronavirus crisis changing everything for everybody these days, we are doing something about and for the exacerbated challenges that so many of our communities now face — Bill Walton
The entire net proceeds from the event will benefit the victims of the coronavirus pandemic, along with health care providers and staffer who are working tirelessly during this catastrophic global crisis. Walton knows Las Vegas well. He comes to Las Vegas annually as an ESPN game commentator for the Pac-12 basketball championships and even attended the former Interbike national bicycle trade show many times because he loves bicycling so much.
Bike for Humanity is a free event to promote community. There are, however, various opportunities to donate in support of the four non-profit organizations: Feeding America (feedingamerica.org), Father Joe’s Villages (my.neighbor.org), #GetUsPPE (getusppe.org), and Champions for Health (championsforhealth.org).
Anyone who registers and makes a $25 contribution will receive a Bike for Humanity medal through the mail. A $50 donation will include the medal and a T-shirt. At $250, participants will receive the medal, T-shirt, and a personally-signed “Thank You” photograph card from Walton. They will also automatically enter an opportunity drawing for several exclusive prizes, including Electra bicycles and an all-expenses paid trip to San Diego to ride with Walton after physical distancing restrictions are lifted.
Events.com will air a stream of the event featuring Bill and other compelling individuals from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. PT. This gives participants an opportunity to complete their own rides and then return to their home to view the stream. For more information or to register for Bike for Humanity, visit the event’s official site, https://www.bikeforhumanity.com/.
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