UIU Team Peacock rides again
Win a prize by entering the UIU pie-judging contest on RAGBRAI
"The continued growth in participation and contributions is not only exciting but truly amazing," said UIU President Dr. Alan G. Walker. "What started out as a small seed of an idea has blossomed into a full-blown cause that not only provides immediate benefit to our students by way of scholarships, but will hopefully mature into a pay-it-forward mentality as these benefactors become future alumni."
In four previous years of participating in a statewide bike ride known as RAGBRAI, Upper Iowa University's Team Peacock has raised over $250,000 toward student scholarships. By the finish of next year's ride, Walker is hoping to have raised $500,000, which would be half way to the $1 million total fundraising goal for student scholarships through Team Peacock.
The effort began with seven riders and has been capped at 35 this year, with a number of people added to a waiting list. Due to the logistics of hauling bikes, tents, luggage, and people, as well as finding space large enough to accommodate the group overnight along the route, the committee decided to limit the number of riders. Each year, UIU alumni who live in the RAGBRAI overnight towns have hosted Team Peacock, allowing the group to utilize their yards, showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities.
New this year, Walker and Board Chair Bob Firth will judge pies at the UIU booth in each overnight town at 6 p.m. (Red Oak- Mt. Pleasant). The contest commemorates RAGBRAI's salute to homemade pies. Participation in the UIU contest is open to anyone and no pre-registration is needed. Just bring a slice of pie to the booth to enter; the winner will receive a gift basket of "pie paraphernalia" worth over $100.
The University recently started a UIU Team Peacock page on Facebook that now has hundreds of fans and features information on riders and how to donate, as well as current videos and photos of past rides. Daily updates, blogs, photos and videos will be posted to the site during the week of RAGBRAI at www.facebook.com/teampeacock.
Contact:
Pam Reinig
V.P. Marketing & Communications
Work - 563-425-5773
Fax - 563-425-5701
reinigp@uiu.edu
www.uiu.edu