STARRS Triathlon Club: South Texas Runners, Riders, and Swimmers
On December 13, 2008, STARRS hosted the annual Christmas Bike Giveaway at Ben Garza Gym. The event was another huge success! Read more about it in the Caller-Times article, or read Gretchen Arnold's write-up below.
Also check out the photos.
My Dear STARRS:
Thank you all so, so much for a beautiful day this past Saturday! I wanted to send a very special thank you to you all that made it happen.
I am truly honored to be a part of this special group. As the Big 3 fly around in their private jets and attend lavish parties while they simper about a poor economy and demand a whopping, crippling bail out, you all dug a little deeper and matched what was donated in healthier years. No excuses. Just the STARRS git 'er done attitude that sniveling is not an option. You do what you have to do - and smile about it.
After a hard day at work, you didn't collectively refuse to cooperate to keep STARRS the source of pride that it is. Many of you ventured where angels fear to tread; Walmart in throws of Christmas season- not once but twice. You sucked it up and said to yourself "yep - off I go to the treacherous dark side of shopping hell (SPID and anywhere)". You picked up and loaded and unloaded bike after bike over and over again. And never, ever a whine or sour face. The environment was ALWAYS cheerful with lots of smiles and joking.
On Saturday morning - a beautiful morning for riding or running - you did not. You were there. As always - helpful. Breakfast was such fun! Cathy showing up at dark:30 with juice and helpful hands, Dolores stepping up to take one for the team and offer to plug in the coffee maker after the cord was dropped in water, Wayne and his legendary love of coffee, Steve expressing his concerns about the weight load capacity of my deck - particularly with many of us going to more parties than typical, Carrol and Rocky, Robbie ducking in and out around the funeral of a dear friend, Leslie coming to help even after the hubby made off the with truck (hunting season), Rick being a sport and helping - from his motorcycle, Scott doing the same from his bike, and much, much more. But perhaps my favorite - Mary and Dawn dragging the kids out of bed so that they could be a part of - and continue the tradition - of giving back. And it did not stop there. We went from the house to the warehouse greeted by a smiling Kim and yet again loaded and unloaded bikes.
The STARRS parade from the warehouse to the gym was grand! Truck after truck after truck loaded down with bikes. We received lots of smiles and waves from those we passed along the way. We were met at the gym by Barb (after going to hell [Walmart]) with lots of cookies and drinks, and Joel worked hard being Joel - adjusting, cleaning and turning wrenches. After a moment or two of watching the adjusting pros (Joel and Peter - both engineers - imagine that), everyone jumped in and worked hard to make sure each ride was perfect.
Each anxious child that arrived on site was greeted with a coloring book, burger coupons, and temporary tattoos courtesy of Deidre, while Hazel handed out cookies. Each child was personally escorted to their new bike by a STARRS volunteer. Most of us got our run in that morning behind wobbly bikes, squirmy butts and beaming smiles. Watching the beaming children push off on what for many was their first new bike, were grateful parents. But we didn't even stop there. Eric fashioned a rope to a sedan trunk to take home THREE bikes and Mark actually delivered bikes to their new home. Larry - still in pain - showed up to help. Randy made sure that helmets were enforced - no desire for these little guys to be future patients. I got my usual chuckle out of Henri, and Bob and Wayne kept up with bike counts as the numbers got low. And thank you Richard for getting me a jacket as I continue my annual tradition of not wearing warm enough clothing! Everyone was a hero! Me on the other hand spent a lot of time loafing around and eating cookies - so I may not have caught everyone here. There were so many of us there I am sure I missed a few - but you are just as special. My apologies for the oversight and my sincere appreciation for everything you all did.
– Gretchen Arnold