The Bergen Bike Tour is a fundraising event, with proceeds benefiting two local charities – Tomorrows Children’s Fund and the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. Your fundraising efforts are greatly appreciated and will help these charities provide much-needed programs and services right here in Bergen County.

Ask your friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors to sponsor your ride. All riders age 16 and older must turn in sponsorship pledges of a minimum of $100 per person prior to or at the event in order to receive a Bergen Bike Tour t-shirt and goody bag (while supplies last). You may continue to fundraise after the event – all pledges are due by November 13, 2009 and prizes will be awarded by Dec. 31. Pledges are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Kids under age 16 are encouraged to raise sponsor pledges for the Bergen Bike Tour but are not required to do so.

3 easy ways to raise funds for the Bergen Bike Tour:

1. Create a personal fundraising page for the Bergen Bike Tour at www.firstgiving.com/bergenbiketour. Follow the directions for creating your own online fundraising page - it just takes a minute! Then, you can send the page to friends, family and co-workers through email, social networking sites or word-of-mouth. Donors who support your ride can make an easy, secure online donation and receive an email receipt. The entire donation (minus a small administrative fee) is sent directly to the Bergen Bike Tour, and it will be credited to your sponsor pledges. Your website keeps track of how much you raise as an individual or as part of a team. Funds raised online will be counted toward prizes.

2. Direct your sponsors to the Support A Rider page of this website. You can copy this link – (https://bergenvolunteers.ejoinme.org/MyPages/RiderSponsorPledge/tabid/159295/Default.aspx) and send it to friends and family via email. Sponsors can support you by making a pledge via credit card on our safe, secure site.

3. Download and print a sponsor pledge form. Ask friends and family to support your ride. You can keep track of pledges using the form. Make checks payable to The Bergen Bike Tour and mail to Bergen Bike Tour, c/o Volunteer Center, 64 Passaic Street, Hackensack NJ 07601.

Make sure to thank your sponsors for their support! Let them know how much you raised, and invite them to the Bergen Bike Tour to cheer you on!