8th Annual Harpoon Point to Point

 

For Immediate Release  

Media Contacts:     Liz Melby                                                        Judy Stermer                                       

                                    The Harpoon Brewery                                     Vermont Foodbank                 

                                    888-HARPOON ext. 523                                 (802) 477-4108

                                    lmelby@harpoonbrewery.com                                    jstermer@secondharvest.org

*Media Advisory*

The 8th Annual Harpoon Point to Point Returns to Fight Hunger in Vermont

Event:  The 8th Annual Harpoon Point to Point Ride to benefit the Vermont Foodbank

On Saturday, August 15th the Harpoon Point to Point will return for its eighth year to raise money and awareness for the Vermont Foodbank.  In 2008 the Harpoon Point to Point, which is the largest single-day fundraiser for the Foodbank, raised $47,000 and has already exceeded that total in 2009. 

The Harpoon Point to Point is split up into 3 different rides; the 110-Mile Ride from Williston to Windsor, the 50-Mile Ride from Bethel to Windsor, and the 25-Mile Loop from the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor and back.  Cyclists of all skill levels are invited to participate.  More than 400 cyclists are expected to ride on Saturday. 

A backpack containing enough food for a family of four for a single day will be passed from rider to rider during each ride.  The backpack symbolizes the Vermont Foodbank's efforts to end hunger in Vermont. 

Governor Jim Douglas has proclaimed August 15th, 2009 Ride Against Hunger Day in Vermont. Governor Douglas will be at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor addressing the riders at 4:30 pm.

The Foodbank will host a Pre-Ride Pasta Party at their facility in South Barre, VT for riders and non-riders alike the evening before the ride on August 14th. 

                       

Details:        Saturday, August 15, 2009

110-Mile Ride:  begins at 7:00 am at the Catamount Family Center in Williston

50-Mile Ride:  begins at 11:00 am in Bethel at the Whitcomb Junior/Senior High School

                        25-Mile Ride:  begins at 1:00 pm at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, VT

Info:               www.harpoonbrewery.com/pointtopoint  

Visuals:       

•·         Governor Jim Douglas addressing the riders and ride supporters at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor at 4:30 pm

•·         The Vermont Foodbank's new CEO John Sayles and The Point Radio Network DJ Zeb Norris toasting the cyclists in Windsor for their efforts to end hunger in Vermont

•·         Riders of all levels celebrating the completion of the ride at the brewery in Windsor, Vermont

•·         Top fundraiser and 25-mile cyclist Keely Punger, who has raised over $10,000 for the Foodbank for the 2009 Harpoon Point to Point, accepting her top fundraiser prize

Background:  The Harpoon Point to Point was created in 2002 to raise funds and awareness for the Vermont Foodbank's mission to end the growing problem of hunger in Vermont.  The Harpoon Point to Point is an event established through a partnership between the Harpoon Brewery, the Point Radio Network, and the Vermont Foodbank.  For additional information, visit http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/.

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