Early November 22, approximately 9,000 cyclists were expected to begin the 32nd El Tour de Tucson, a perimeter bike ride around the Arizona city.  Special Olympics, in its first year as title sponsor and primary beneficiary, is the world’s largest sports organization for individuals of all ages with intellectual disabilities. Casino Del Sol Resort returned for the third year as El Tour’s presenting sponsor.
Though the total number of cyclists to start the ride is still in question, two Naperville residents—Naish Shah, who works for Rotary International, and Tim Penick, Positively Naperville digital editor—were riding on a fundraising mission with the Rotary International staff team Miles to End Polio led by RI General Secretary John Hewko. Shah and Penick both chose to ride in honor of family members who had been afflicted with polio. They also were representing the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown.
To provide a brief history, during the annual Soup’s On charity event hosted by the Rotary Club of Naperville on October 19, Shah, a member of the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown (aka 4:44 Rotary), set up a stand to promote End Polio Now as well as an upcoming bike ride slated for October 25 at Quigley’s Irish Pub to raise awareness to eradicate polio worldwide. Much to Shah’s surprise, many attendees at Soup’s On commented, “I thought polio already was eradicated.”
And in the United States, it is. Still, comments provided an opportunity to talk about the fact that until every single case of polio is eradicated in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria, the three countries where it still exists, the crippling disease remains an epidemic threat to the world. Â And that’s why 4:44 Rotary planned the training bike ride that began and ended at Quigley’s Irish Pub to begin raising awareness about Special Olympics El Tour de Tucson on November 22.
During the morning event, friends and members from Naperville’s Rotary clubs stopped by the patio to support the ride. Fast forward through a month of fundraising with much-appreciated donations from $2 to $500 that came to a tally of nearly $8,000, 4:44 Rotary’s part to help fund Miles to End Polio.
On Nov. 21, Shah discussed some of his fundraising efforts for Miles to End Polio with members of Rotary District 5500 in Tucson, Arizona, during a pre-ride event.  Collective efforts for this year’s ride with Rotary International have raised $6 million to end polio. Donations are still being accepted at http://rcndowntown.com/donate/. All donations will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
What’s more, within Special Olympics El Tour de Tucson, teams of cyclists raised funds for more than 30 other charities, too.
In addition to Special Olympics and Rotary International Polio Plus, the long list of worthy causes includes American Parkinson Disease Association; ARSOBO; Arts-Express; AYUDA – American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad; Ben’s Bells Project; Boys & Girls Club; Cakes for Causes; Donate Life Arizona; Impact of Southern Arizona; Easter Seals Blake Foundation; Grey 2K USA Education Fund; Habitat for Humanity;  Integrative Touch for Kids; International Rett Syndrome Foundation; and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Also, La Frontera Arizona; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Lions Club International – Cycle for Sight, Look! Save a Life / Arizona; Make Way for Books; myTeam Triumph; Platelet Disorder Foundation; Shyann Kindness Project;  Susan G. Komen for the Cure; The Haven; Tucson Jewish Community Center; Tu Nidito Children & Family Services; Twilight Wish Foundation; Uphill Into The Wind; Water for People; World Care; Wright Flight; and Young Life Tucson.
Special Olympics El Tour de Tucson includes the 104-mile Main Event, followed by the 75-Mile El Tour, the Intuit 55-Mile El Tour, the Sanofi 40-Mile El Tour and the El Tour Fun Ride.
Kids activities, music, a beer garden, food, massages and an on-going Grand Cycling Awards Ceremony also enhanced  the day’s festivities.
To keep up with the event via posted videos at Special Olympics El Tour de Tucson.
The Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown is one of four Rotary Clubs in Naperville, Illinois. Â Naperville’s four clubs are among 33,000 Rotary clubs in 200 countries worldwide, all members of Rotary International. Rotary is headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, in District 6450, known as the birthplace of Rotary.
