Ride For Red Races Through Portland This Friday
  

A Canadian beauty queen and three Olympic bobsledders will ride their bikes through Portland this Friday; one stop on their 4000km (2485 mile) "Ride For Red" from Calgary, Alberta to Santa Monica, Calif. The riders will be available to meet the public on Friday, Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross, 3131 N. Vancouver Ave.

The "Ride for Red" is a philanthropic effort to raise funds for both the American and Canadian Red Cross. The team is led by Shannon Lynn, Miss Canada 2009 and Miss North America 2010. Lynn is accompanied by Brock Kreitzburg, U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team; Bill Schuffenhauer, U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team; and Christina Smith, Canadian Olympic Bobsled Team.

Lynn hopes to raise a minimum of $1 million for each organization. As a supporter of both the American and Canadian Red Cross, she believes that the ride is not only a great way to raise funds, but also bring awareness to the organizations' humanitarian work. She plans to establish the ride as an annual event.

Donations and pledges are accepted online and at various appearances that the team is making throughout their ride. All major American phone service providers carry the option of texting to donate to the Ride for Red. Text "FIVE" or "TEN" to 20222 to donate $5 or $10, respectively.

You can follow the team's progress online at:

Ride For Red Website – http://www.therideforred.com/  
Blog: http://therideforred.blogspot.com  
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/rideforredORG  
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/therideforred  

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In Oregon, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disaster every 20 hours; supplies more than 90 percent of Oregon's blood; teaches thousands of Oregonians lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.oregonredcross.org or join our award-winning blog at www.oregonredcross.org/blog.