Fueled by Idaho® Potatoes, RODS Racing Triathlon Team Celebrates Triumphant Year
RODS Racing Athletes Race to Find Homes in the United States for Orphaned Children Around the World with Down Syndrome
EAGLE, Idaho, December 17, 2013—It was a milestone year for RODS Racing and their biggest sponsor, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). With a generous $50,000 donation from the IPC, RODS Racing was able to double the size of its team to more than 100 athletes who have each pledged to raise $1,000 to help find homes in the United States for orphaned children with Down syndrome.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of the success that RODS Racing achieved in 2013,” stated Frank Muir, President and CEO, Idaho Potato Commission. “This is more than just a sponsorship for us. We know that the IPC’s support is literally saving children’s lives.”
Fueling the 100 percent increase in membership was RODS Racing’s sponsorship of the most popular triathlon in the world, the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. RODS’s Racing was the premier sponsor of the running portion of the race, which was broadcast live on ironman.com and included the “RODS Racing Fueled by Idaho® Potatoes” logo prominently featured on the screen and leader board, in eight 30-second commercials, one 90-second interview with RODS Racing founder Brady Murray, and several 10-second clips. One member of the RODS Racing team, Rob Wight, qualified for Kona and successfully crossed the finish line in 16:05:50.
“This has been an outstanding year for RODS Racing,” explained RODS Racing founder Brady Murray. “We surpassed both our membership and donation goals thanks to the generous support of the IPC. In just two years, we’ve been able to help find homes for ten orphans. With a larger team and the continued support from the IPC, our goal is to find homes for ten orphans in 2014.”
Every day, thousands of children around the world are born with Down syndrome. In industrialized countries like the U.S., these children are provided with support and resources that allow them to live healthy, happy and often productive lives. Unfortunately, in many countries these children are often institutionalized and don’t receive the care or love they need to flourish. RODS Racing is committed to finding homes in the U.S. for these children so they can have the fulfilling lives they deserve.
To accommodate its exponential growth, RODS Racing is making changes to its organizational structure and developing new venues to attract more team members and potential donors and sponsors:
- Eight regional directors were recently appointed (seven are based in U.S. and one is in Europe) to help manage local adoption, fundraising and racing efforts.
- RODS Racing Jr., will be rolling out in the spring. This initiative introduces students to the triathlon sport and offers opportunities for them to help raise funds and awareness for RODS Racing.
- Members of the Boise YMCA will wear swim caps with the “RODS Racing Fueled By Idaho Potatoes” logo.
- Local fundraising events will take place across the country in 2014 including one at the One America Mini Marathon, the largest half marathon in the country, held every year in Indianapolis, IN.
About RODS Racing
The seed for RODS Racing was planted in 2007 when founder Brady Murray held his newborn son for the first time. The doctors told him his son has Down syndrome. What seemed like an overwhelming challenge has become one of Brady’s greatest blessings. Brady soon learned that children born with Down syndrome in other countries are often institutionalized and never receive the care or love they need to reach their potential. The RODS Racing athletes come from a variety of backgrounds, but all are committed helping children with Down syndrome in other countries find a home in the United States. The only thing standing in the way of children with Down syndrome being adopted is the financial burden of adopting a child internationally. The average international adoption costs $30,000 - $40,000. For more information about RODS Racing, please visit www.rodsracing.org.
About the Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency that is responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho's growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil, give Idaho Potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance, that differentiates Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states.
For more information, please visit www.idahopotato.com
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