By Tina Coleman, Franchisee, EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley and Regional Owner, EXIT Realty Montana
Northwest Fire Velo is a group of first responders who raise money for the Gary Sinise Foundation. Late this summer, they biked from Seattle, WA to Denver, CO a distance of 1,643 miles over 21 days. Along the way, they slept mostly in fire stations in the communities they passed through.
EXIT Realty Montana was one of the major sponsors of the event hosting a limited seating, ticketed event at Sleeping Child Farm in Hamilton, MT. The group received a fire engine escort the 30 miles from EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley’s Stevensville office out to the farm. The group plus guests were treated to a catered meal under the big top in the field along the creek. There, guests learned about the amazing work the Gary Sinise Foundation does for our military veterans and first responders.
They also learned that one member of the group, Doug Terrien, was not a first responder. He was, in fact, a victim of a hit and run while riding his bike which left him in a coma for several weeks. He almost died. The first responder who saved his life was also on the ride. At times emotional, Doug and Max Coleman, Regional Owner of EXIT Realty Montana and Broker/Owner of EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley spoke of their lifelong friendship, the horror of the accident and the gratitude both felt for the first responders who attended the scene. Participating in the ride and holding the fundraising event was their way of giving back.
A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. Through the Spirit of EXIT Dollar-for-Dollar Matching Program, EXIT offices and associates can raise money for local, approved, registered charities and apply to EXIT’s head office to have those funds matched from the company’s pledged pool of funds. Through their ticket sales for the dinner, fundraising efforts and sponsorship of the event, the team at EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley and EXIT Realty Montana hoped to raise $2,000 which EXIT Realty Corp. International was proud to match, but they doubled the amount raised to $4,000 resulting in a total donation to the Northwest Fire Velo of $6,000.
