Every year for the past 21 years, the Rosedale Foundation down in Austin, Texas have been working hard to raise money for the Rosedale School to help out children with disabilities! For the first time, BMX got involved to do some demos and shows thanks to Dean Dickinson and a crew he assembled featuring Morgan Wade, Brian Hunt and Ruben Castillo, to help out with the fund raising. Leonid Furmansky was at the event documenting some of the days events and sent through a bunch of solid photos along with some words for you guys to check out from the fundraiser! Based off the photos, it looks like it was a huge success and a good day! Take a look after the jump!
Words and photos by Leonid Furmansky
“The Rosedale charity all started with an idea in 1994 where Rosedale parents wanted to use cycling to raise awareness and donations to help the Rosedale school. The parents got together and created the Rosedale Foundation where it holds its strength from the ones that help and volunteer to make Rosedale happen. The Rosedale school is special to the AISD’s program because the school is dedicated to providing the education and help for children’s with disabilities.
Last year the Rosedale team raised over $100,000 towards the school. Dean Dickinson pulled together a great charity event for the 21st annual ride. Over 300 riders show up ready to burn down the miles. Prior to that, Dean, along with Ruben Castillo and Brian Hunt did some demos before the ride started. This is the first time BMX was involved with Rosedale charity and the first time the volunteers have ever seen a BMX bike leave the ground.
Sandy Carson, Stew Johnson, Brian Hunt and Ruben Castillo
Ruben Castillo had a handful of freestyle tricks to show the naked eye what BMX started on, then Brian Hunt bunny hopped over Principal Elizabeth Dickey and Vice Principal Nancy Gorton, along with Rosedale Ride Chairman, Al Godfrey, to get the crowd excited.
While riders took on the Texas miles, the BMX freestyle show started to set up with the appearance of X-Games gold medalist, Morgan Wade. While the riders arrived and settled down with some Burro Cheese sandwiches made by the man himself, Aaron Ross, and his crew, the BMX Freestyle team was getting ready to start the show.
Brian Hunt and Morgan Wade took the air while Ruben Castillo showed the crowd freestyle. The event ended with giveaways from Empire BMX, GoPro, RideBMX, Fun Fun Fun Fest, ACL Steaks, and Burro Cheese. It’s always amazing to see BMX give back to the community, especially the Rosedale Foundation, because shows that BMX riders are out there to ride for themselves and to use their skill level to help out a great cause.”
You can learn more about the Rosedale Foundation by visiting their website — RosedaleProud.org
