Ad Fed Campaign Helps Hill Country Ride for AIDS Shatter Fundraising Goal

By Ted Burton, Ad Fed Board Member
Seven members of team Ad Fed Veloci-Peddlers joined more than 400 riders in the 8th annual Hill Country Ride for AIDS on April 28, peddling 50 miles or more to help the ride reach a record $525,000 to assist people in Central Texas living with HIV/AIDS. The Ad Fed Veloci-Peddlers contributed more than $8,800 to the total through their own individual fundraising campaigns.

The ride featured a marketing campaign developed by Ad Fed volunteers at the nFusion Group and was printed by CSI/Capital Spectrum on paper donated by Unisource. EnviroMedia Social Marketing donated media relations services to promote the event.

Ad Fed President Pat Niekamp, a first-time rider, said, “The ride was full of great creative energy…right down to the pit stop that was actually a trip to Oz, complete with a yellow brick road, Dorothy and Toto—in the middle of rural Texas. It really grabbed my heart. The caring exceeded anything I’ve experienced before in a fundraising event.”

The ride certainly left a lasting impression on Ad Fed Communications Chair Susie Tull, who crashed halfway through the event, breaking two bones in her hand and bruising a rib. “Our coach, (former Ad Fed president) Scott Van Osdol always told us, ‘Keep the rubber side down.’ I got carried away admiring the beautiful scenery. Next time, the rubber stays on the road.”

Ad Fed Board member Kyla Kanz and Niekamp both fell at the same low water crossing, suffering bruises and skinned elbows. “We all gave a little blood to the ride,” Kanz said, “but it was well worth it. I felt great, in spite of the road rash.”

For the third year, the ride’s marketing campaign was produced by nFusion. Jeff Neely served as creative director, John Livingston as art director, and David Steinert, designer. Ted Burton and Leah Mason of EnviroMedia handled the extensive media relations campaign featuring TV appearances by ride director David Smith. Van Osdol served as marketing chair and coached the bike team.

In the four years of the Ad Fed’s involvement, ride donations rose from $225,000 to $525,000. Campaign Creative Director Neely said, “It’s important to give back.” Past ride campaign elements by Sean Carnegie, Headgear Creative and nFusion’s Megan Berryman have appeared in prestigious juried publications, Communication Arts and the HOW International Design Annual.

It’s still possible to contribute to this worthy cause at www.hillcountryride.org.