BOLT
04-19-2007, 09:08 AM
Jeff aka BOLT here.
Spent my life riding in the dirt and on the street. James Marshall's crash grabbed my attention. I had just started a riding group called RIDERS - http://ridersonline.org . I felt compelled to try and raise some funds and I blasted James story every where I could. My efforts to raise money within our group was horrible. At least we got the word out to others.
Last November 2006 a RIDERS member brought out a buddy to Ocotillo Wells. He was pretty silly and a lot of fun around the campfire. I liked him immediately. The next morning this good natured fellow was being airlifted out with a severe neck injury. Jim (Smiley) Riley is the first friend I have had that has suffered a tragedy of this magnitude.
I started http://smileyriley.org a couple weeks ago now to help raise funds for Jim's recovery needs. Being a self employed sole provider to his family brings added difficulty to an already difficult life adjustment for all involved. Private donors are very hard to come by so I expect we will be learning about & pursuing corporate programs in the days to come. I hope that is fruitful.
I've heard many times about the good work of riderdown.org . So I thought it was time I came here to participate, tell you about Jim and make my donation to riderdown.org as well.
We've posted the following as far and as wide on the Internet as we been able to so far:
It started as just a normal desert ride in the early part of November just a few months back. Two (2) hours later a fellow rider, a man I only met the evening before & 30 year childhood pal to others, a father & husband, sole provider, self employed, good natured fellow that friends call Smiley Riley was on a helicopter headed for a new life.
http://smileyriley.org/images/helicopter.gif
Jim Riley is one of those special people that you shake your head asking why is HE the one fighting to stand again. He is fighting to walk again. He is fighting to use a fork. Jim will keep fighting. He will pick up that fork ! He will stand ! He will return to the desert ! It is NOT hopeless and there are signs of real progress !
If you would like to read Jim's story. If you feel it in your heart to help. If you want to know what you can do to help a stranger that you would have called friend shortly after sharing a beer with him, please go to http://smileyriley.org
http://smileyriley.org/images/smileyriley_logo_450.gif (http://smileyriley.org)
The website is still under construction. It's about 80% there. I just want to get the word out as wide and far as possible. Please keep this thread active so more people will have a chance to see Jim's Story !
The events calendar will be up soon including Poker Nights, Poker Runs, Track Days and whatever else we come up with to have fun while raising funds to help Jim and his family.
Thanks guys !
Jeff aka BOLT
Spent my life riding in the dirt and on the street. James Marshall's crash grabbed my attention. I had just started a riding group called RIDERS - http://ridersonline.org . I felt compelled to try and raise some funds and I blasted James story every where I could. My efforts to raise money within our group was horrible. At least we got the word out to others.
Last November 2006 a RIDERS member brought out a buddy to Ocotillo Wells. He was pretty silly and a lot of fun around the campfire. I liked him immediately. The next morning this good natured fellow was being airlifted out with a severe neck injury. Jim (Smiley) Riley is the first friend I have had that has suffered a tragedy of this magnitude.
I started http://smileyriley.org a couple weeks ago now to help raise funds for Jim's recovery needs. Being a self employed sole provider to his family brings added difficulty to an already difficult life adjustment for all involved. Private donors are very hard to come by so I expect we will be learning about & pursuing corporate programs in the days to come. I hope that is fruitful.
I've heard many times about the good work of riderdown.org . So I thought it was time I came here to participate, tell you about Jim and make my donation to riderdown.org as well.
We've posted the following as far and as wide on the Internet as we been able to so far:
It started as just a normal desert ride in the early part of November just a few months back. Two (2) hours later a fellow rider, a man I only met the evening before & 30 year childhood pal to others, a father & husband, sole provider, self employed, good natured fellow that friends call Smiley Riley was on a helicopter headed for a new life.
http://smileyriley.org/images/helicopter.gif
Jim Riley is one of those special people that you shake your head asking why is HE the one fighting to stand again. He is fighting to walk again. He is fighting to use a fork. Jim will keep fighting. He will pick up that fork ! He will stand ! He will return to the desert ! It is NOT hopeless and there are signs of real progress !
If you would like to read Jim's story. If you feel it in your heart to help. If you want to know what you can do to help a stranger that you would have called friend shortly after sharing a beer with him, please go to http://smileyriley.org
http://smileyriley.org/images/smileyriley_logo_450.gif (http://smileyriley.org)
The website is still under construction. It's about 80% there. I just want to get the word out as wide and far as possible. Please keep this thread active so more people will have a chance to see Jim's Story !
The events calendar will be up soon including Poker Nights, Poker Runs, Track Days and whatever else we come up with to have fun while raising funds to help Jim and his family.
Thanks guys !
Jeff aka BOLT