Tuesday night ride CANCELED!

Well, the rain started earlier than the weather man said, so we're going to cancel tonight's night ride at JH. Better luck next week - hopefully no snow!

So Thankful ...

It seems somehow appropriate that this week is the we are sending out a message of thanks to all of you because ...

WOW!

You all were amazing! Our Party 4 Marty was a total and complete success!  In our wildest dreams, we couldn't have imagined a more perfect evening. 

The donations we received were unbelievable - truly something for everyone! So many of you donated, asked your employers to donate, got your friends or neighbors to donate ... you were all incredible. Thank you for spreading the word - it would have been impossible to have this evening without you, and we are so grateful! 

To everyone who came out to the auction - was that a good time or what??!!! Everyone really got in the spirit of it - throwing down over everything from t-shirts to chainsaws and Victoria's Secrets gift baskets! The food was great, the drinks were flowing, and there were tons of yummy desserts to fuel the bidding! From the kids who won Beanie Babies, to the bidding wars over Pete's Pickles and the Jungle Habitat sign, it was a great night, and we're so thrilled it was such a success! Thank you so much your unbelievable generosity - it truly left us speechless. 

We also received donations online and in the mail from so many of you who couldn't attend - so many of you who read Marty's story and were moved to help. We really were so humbled at the number of you who made the effort to reach out and help, and we thank you for it.

 Marty and his buddy Heather

Finally, our volunteers - what do we say about them? They showed up early, they stayed late, they ran, they hauled, they set up and cleaned up - they were, in a word, fantastic! Special thanks to Heather - who was the spark for this whole event and really got the ball rolling, to Paula - who was an organizing goddess and packaged and labeled for weeks ahead of time, to our awesome Master of Ceremonies Tom, who really got everyone to dig deep and give, and to the Team Town Cycle executive board (as well as all of our members) who donated money, time and resources to make this event happen. And to all of the event volunteers - the check-out staff, the runners, the food organizers, the parking staff, the registration girls, the bartenders - we know we're forgetting someone, but trust us - we appreciate each and every one of you! 

Aside from our own thanks, Michael Hoek, our favorite sponsor and friend, passes along his gratitude to all of you for helping out a friend in need. Pete and Kelly’s families also told us more than once how grateful they were for helping out their favorite little boy, Marty, and of course, Pete and Kelly were overwhelmed by all of your generosity.

So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we say to all of you - thanks for giving. It goes to show that when people band together, wonderful things can happen!

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and joyful holiday season -

Team Town Cycle and

Marty’s Fund

Dinners and auctions and rides - oh my!

We have so much to catch up on - and we're working on it, promise! In the meantime - 2 quick reminders.

1. Night ride tonight - 5:45 - 8:00 p.m., Jungle Habitat. Be there!
2. Thanksgiving day pre-turkey ride - rolling out by 9 a.m., Waywayanda State Park, boat launch parking lot, rain or shine! 

We'll catch up with everyone soon - stay tuned!

Last reminder - Party 4 Marty is tomorrow!

First off, for those of you who are not local - we're famous! Much thanks to the West Milford Messenger for running a story about Marty - you can read it here!

Secondly - thanks to all of our volunteers and sponsors. The response we have had ... well, it's been nothing short of overwhelming! We're looking at over 170 donations for our auction - how awesome is that!! We are so excited for tomorrow night, and we hope you are too!

Thirdly, if you or your friends are coming, please let them know that while we can accept credit cards, our preferred method of payment is cash or checks, so we can avoid those pesky credit card fees! Every penny we can keep in Marty's Fund is one more penny that helps him out!

Finally - a last group of hints to whet your appetite!

• Bike parts and upgrades you can buy without feeling guilty - check!
• Had a long day and need a drink? Us too!
• Of course, you'll need some snacks to have with your drink ...
• Maybe you like to unwind by fishing ...
• Or hiking ...
• Or shopping! 

We really do have something for everyone, from homemade pottery to vacations, from snack and skin care baskets to bikes and bracelets. Big budget and small budget items - we've got it all! So grab your wallet or checkbook, and feel good about helping out a family in need while doing something fun! 

Last Minute Announcement - Night Hike!

Yes, we've lost the light in the evenings - but that's no reason we can't get out and have some fun! Sherri and Norm Albrecht are hosting a night hike tonight, so come on out! Meet at Marcella Comm. Center parking lot at 7:00, and we'll drive to the trail from there. It's only a 5 min. ride, but it's all side/dirt roads through the woods. It'll be better to go as a group so we don't lose anyone! Marcella Comm. Center is on Green Pond Rd., ~ 5 miles south of Rt. 23; it’ll be on your right.  If you pass the old golf course, you’ve gone too far!  Here's a map - 

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=marcella+nj&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=&hnear=Marcella,+Morris,+New+Jersey&z=14

Please RSVP to Sherri no later than 5 P.M. so she knows to wait for you! Her email addresses are salbrecht1@verizon.net,  or Sherri_Albrecht@urscorp.com  or phone # 973.727.2660 .

More Party for Marty hints!

We're getting closer - only 2 more days until our Party for Marty! We're putting the finishing touches on all of the great donations and can't wait to show all of you what we have! In the meantime, a few housekeeping items.

1. Although we will have the capability to take credit cards, our preference would be cash or checks, because of the fees associated with credit card use. We want every penny possible to go directly to Marty's Fund, not to some big corporation! We understand that may not be possible for everyone, but we appreciate any help you can give us in this area. 
2. Many of you have asked who to make out check donations to. All checks should be made out to "Team Town Cycle/Marty's Fund". If you are coming to the auction, you can bring checks with you - if not, they can be mailed to P.O. Box 557, West Milford, NJ 07480. 
3. We're going to have some great giveaways and door prizes, so plan your evening now!

Now - for today's auction hints ....

• Football fans - we have got you totally covered! Get an autograph for your favorite fan for the the holidays!
• Spruce up your house for the holidays with a new coat of paint!
• Already stressed about the holidays? We'll help you slow down.
• Looking forward to the spring already? How about a round of golf?
• Kids love bikes!
• Don't forget Fido!

One last set of hints tomorrow - stay tuned!!

Our Party for Marty PayPal "Donate" button is live!

News item of the day - we now have a PayPal donation button available! Check out the left sidebar on our blog at www.teamtowncycle.com for the link!

And now - time for your daily auction hints! 

• Have you backed up your computer lately? We can help!
• Got some New Years resolutions to stay in shape? We've got you covered!
• Did you crash one too many times with that old helmet? Check out what we have!
• Girl Scout cookies, anyone? Oh yea.
• Want to try skiing this winter? We can hook you up!

Definitely something for everyone! So be there or be square - Saturday, November 20th, 7 p.m., High Crest Lake Lodge, West Milford, NJ!