WINDY, COLD and RAINY! Boy it sure seemed like it was February and NOT April 7th at Jasper Winery for Velorosa's10th Annual Sip & Swap event. This is a 100% fundraising effort, and truly a TEAM effort. Jasper Winery donates the event space. The committee (Erika York, Andrea Corcoran, Michelle Pohlymeyer, and Ali Young) solicit silent auction items, and WOW did they do a GREAT job this year!! All cash donations are given to Urban Bicycle Food Ministries (UBFM), all leftover swap clothing items are donated to the Dream Team, and all cycling parts are donated to We-Cycle in Ames and/or The Bike Collective. We had a great turnout this year with many new to Sip & Swap participants, along with folks who continue to come out on what is usually usually a cold, dreary day in winter to enjoy a night of comradery with fellow cyclists and friends. This year’s attendees donated so many items! Clearly the pandemic and not being able to host this event due to the pandemic made this year’s event even more special! A huge thank you to all the businesses, our team sponsors, and team members who donated auction items. We had some great items donated, including a one-of-a-kind Velorosa crocheted quilt. Attendees enjoyed photos compliments of Christopher MaHarry of MaHarry Photography. Spirits were served up by the staff at Jasper Winery. And many people took home new-to-them cycling gear/kits and shoes. The committee thanks everyone for continuing to support this great event! The truly special part of the event was giving $2,982.00 to Joe Laslo of UBFM whose team will be able to purchase and make 6,000….YES, 6,000 burritos.... to help feed our local homeless community. We collected more than four large garbage bags of clothing for the Dream Team. And We-Cycle went home with all remaining parts/supplies and helmets to give out at their events in the Ames community.
Thank you to the following team members who earned volunteer hours by supporting this great event: Darcy Johnson, Megan Hill, Christine Crow, Andrea Corcoran, Ali Young, Carolyn McCarthy and Maria Ruhtenberg.
photo credits: Christopher MaHarry
