Hi Everyone,

Many of you may know that last year I rode my bike 450 miles in the Colorado mountains in an event called Ride The Rockies (RTR). I did it because I love riding and enjoy the mental and physical challenges of training for the ride and the actual ride itself.

This February I went to an event where this year’s RTR route would be disclosed and I met some old friends, new friends and Team Captains looking for new riders for their respective teams.

Lucky for me, my friends introduced me to Tom Schwein the Captain of Team Samaritan House. If you don’t know him… you should try to meet him. He is such a great person who inspires and motivates others in a matter of minutes while always looking for a way to help you out.

Tom told me about Team Samaritan House and all the fun they have in riding together and how they raise money for a Women’s Shelter in Denver. He also showed me picture of unfortunate bike crash he had a few years on the RTR which he survived. He told me that surviving that crash caused him to step up his own game…and set a goal to increase the size of the Team and the fund raising.

I decide to join and the first event a few weeks later was for all of the Team to meet at the Samaritan House – Women’s Shelter. What a humbling experience!

Fortunately, I have no personal real-life experience of being a homeless man out on the street. The thought of it is daunting. But I could at least guess what it would be like. Not good to say the least.

But when the Director of the Samaritan House explained what it was like for homeless women to be out on the street…I quickly realized how much it total sucked for all of them. The biggest takeaway was that in addition to all the crappy things about come with being homeless…women… have the additional 24/7 fear of being raped and robbed on a regular basis.

I instantly realized the tremendous value of providing homeless women with a safe night’s sleep, a hot dinner and a healthy breakfast.

After the presentation, we toured the Samaritan House Shelter and then left as a Team to get to know each other over a few beers. Talk about a reality check.

Sorry for the long story…but it’s very real. Since joining Team Samaritan House my company BlackFin IRS Solution has became a corporate sponsor and I have personally donated as well.

I love how this team of people is giving visibility to a real concern and is going above and beyond to support a great cause. 100% of our donations are going directly to the women and the shelter. Last year the team fundraising bought cots in the room where every woman is welcome, regardless of her circumstances or her condition. It seems like a simple thing, but last year, they just had mats on the concrete floor.

Our team goal is to raise $250,000 and my personal goal is to raise $5,000. Will you help and donate any amount that feels right to you? I appreciate your support and you can have the confidence that 100% of what you give goes directly to helping homeless women.