Up to the Ceiling with Stuffed Animals!

The donations for stuffed animals has been overwhelming in the Spencer community.  We started our stuffed animal drive November 20th, by putting collection boxes in KICD, Cindy's Steakhouse, Weasy's, Hyvee, ILCC and Goal Kick.  Since then we've collected close to 3,000 furry critters to give to the children of Scottish Rite Hospitals across the nation.  Collection boxes will be put out to surrounding areas soon, so if you have stuffed animals lying around, round them up!

New Landing Page for All BS&P Information...

Do you want to know more about "Boot, Scoot, & Pedal: The Trail to Texas"? Want to donate online? Want to have one webpage that you can link to all the press releases and blogs for the upcoming adventure to Texas?

Well, NOW you have that exact website available to you! Simply click on the logo above or go to http://www.iowalakes.edu/bsp/index.htm and that is basically your one-stop shop for "Boot, Scoot & Pedal."

Tradehome Shoes is First to Sponsor BSP!

The New Year is approaching, which means April will be here in no time. We have started talking with businesses for potential sponsorships, and Tradehome Shoes is the First Major Sponsor for the Boot, Scoot, and Pedal: Trail to Texas!

Although there is a Tradehome Shoes store located in Spencer's South Park Mall, there are multiple locations throughout the U.S.- many in the states we are traveling through on our journey.  You can check them out on their Blog, Twitter, and Facebook.

You will start to see us Coaches around town soon if you haven't already, and if you or you know someone interested in donating, follow this link to the Boot Scoot & Pedal: Trail to Texas donation page!

Stuffed Animal Kick-off

On the first weekend of the stuffed animial drive for the children of Scottish Rite Hospitals, we've already collected over 700 furry creatures!  Our athletes were around town this past Saturday at the drop-off sites including Hy-Vee, Cindy's Steakhouse, Goal Kick, KICD, Weasy's, and ILCC encouraging the general public to donate new or gently used stuffed animals.  If you would like to donate, go to any one of those drop-off sites and look for the bright blue and yellow boxes!

Make Your Donation ONLINE....

Don't want to mail a check?? Well, you can pay online by clicking on the following link....

DONATE ONLINE

Once you get to the secure form go to the Designation of Gifts section and check the box titled "Specific Program/Payment" Then you can enter the amount you want to donate and below that type "Boot, Scoot and Pedal" in the box next to "Program:"

We truly appreciate your donation to this wonderful charity!!

How do I donate to "Boot, Scoot and Pedal"?.....

Please make all donation checks payable to: Iowa Lakes Community College Foundations
In memo line simply write...."Soccer" or "Boot, Scoot & Pedal"

Mail checks to the following address:

Iowa Lakes Community College
Attn: Soccer Program
1900 Grand Avenue
Spencer, IA 51301

We will send a letter back to you to use for tax purposes.

Getting Things Started

Coach Farley & Nicholas James
reunite while Coach drives
through Arkansas.

I departed Spencer, Iowa on Tuesday morning shortly after my 5:30am run. It was a beautiful morning on the run and it was a great sign of how good my trip would be.

I will have to be honest...I was a bit nervous.

I knew that within the next 48 hours, I would have reunited with Mr. James in Arkansas and his son, Nicholas James.

I really wasn't too sure of what to expect.

The drive took all day and, I took my time. I even stopped in Tarkio, MO along the way and had lunch with an old teammate, Jason Goldberg who still resides in Tarkio...where I went to college for 3 years.

On Wednesday morning, at approximately 11:30am...I pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant where I was meeting Mr. James, "The Whole Hog Barbecue"! 

Great Barbecue at "The
Whole Hog"

It was a moment that I will forever keep in my thoughts. I pulled into the drive and there was Mr. James in his pick-up truck...but, to my surprise, sitted in the passenger seat was Nicholas James! It was incredible.

But, what was even more incredible was what I got to experience the next several hours. I was able to watch a true team work hand in hand together. Mr. Randall James and Nicholas, showed me what a true team looks like. From working TOGETHER to get out of a pick-up truck and into a wheelchair, to working together so that Nicholas can enjoy the amazing food at "The Whole Hog", to communicating...I had the priveledge of seeing a successful team in action.

I was also able to witness TRUE HAPPINESS. Nicholas James' car accident may have changed his life in many ways...from walking to not walking, from being independent to needing 24/7 care givers, and many other ways. But, the car accident DID NOT change Nicholas James' heart. It did not change Nicholas James' soul. It did not change Nicholas James' mind. And it did not change Nicholas James' personality.

The "Bear Lea" Farm

Nicholas James is a very happy person. If you spend a few hours with Nick, like I had the opportunity to do...he will make you smile, he will make you laugh, and he will make you wonder...he made me wonder how in the world I ever allow myself to NOT be happy.

Nicholas James changed my life for the better on Wednesday, November 10, 2010.  And every push or pull of the pedals that I make on the bike ride in April will TRULY be in HONOR and DEDICATION of Nicholas James and his wonderful teammate...and Father, Mr. Randall James.

Head Coach, Kevin Farley is traveling through Arkansas and Texas throughout this next week to meet with the James' family, the United Cerebral Palsy Organization, and Alex Schindler Director of the Panda Cup Tournament in Lewisville, Texas.