August 2-5, 2012

Crew Profile - Dustin Struckmeyer, Ice & Water

In each newsletter we feature a different Crew Captain and a description of what their crew does in an effort to help the riders and other crew members be better acquainted with crew.

Your Ice & Water Captain for ACT 10 is Dustin Struckmeyer. The Ice & Water Crew keeps everyone hydrated throughout the Rride. They pick up large quantities of ice and water from our vendors and deliver these precious commodities to our pit stops, water stops, lunch stop and camps. You can think of these folks every time your water bottle is filled with ice, water or Gatorade. 

My name is Dustin Struckmeyer, and I am proud to be this year's Ice and Water Captain again this year. This will be my fifth ACT ride on crew. Previously I have been on route marking, sweep, and ice and water. I first became involved with the ACT Ride through my friend Mike McKinney. Many people know of Mike's contributions to the Ride and AIDS Network, and knowing what a special cause it was for him made it a no-brainer. Before Mike passed, he and I had some good talks and one of them was about continuing all the good he created, and I asked him what he'd like me to do and he asked that I help the ride.

Every time I am part of the ride, I am humbled by the kindness of so many for those few special days. To be a part of something so wonderful which helps so many is such an amazing experience, and I have made many wonderful friends. I look forward to seeing everyone again soon as we get closer to ACT 10.
 

Calling all Crew!

The ACT Ride is a fully supported ride and a full crew is a vital part of the ride. The crew is made up of dedicated and hard working individuals who live for their riders! Crew includes AM/PM/Lunch Pits, Camp Services, Chiro, Food, Ice & Water, Massage, Medical, Moto, Route Marking, Security and Sweep.

Most of the crew will spend the entire four days on the ride eating and sleeping at the camps along with the riders. There are also day crew volunteers who can’t be on the ride for the full four days or can’t spend the nights at camp.

We need your help! We’re expecting ACT 10 to be the largest ride in ACT history. Our goal is to have a one to one Rider to Crew ratio. We’re calling on those already registered to crew or ride to help us by recruiting a friend, a relative, a neighbor or a stranger to sign up for the ACT 10 Crew. 

If you know someone who is interested in being a crew member they can register online today. They can also contract Robert or Christopher with specific questions and they can contact Katie Childs with questions regarding day crew positions.

SAVE THE DATE: This year we are going to have an All Crew Meeting which will take place on Sunday July 8 from 1PM to 4PM, location TBD. We want to see all crew members at this meeting, If you are unable to make this meeting please let us know, you can e-mail Robert or Christopher. We will have a condensed meeting on Day Zero for those who can’t make the July 8 meeting.

AIDS Network Staff Profile - Katie Childs

What do you do for AIDS Network and how long have you worked here?

I am the Development and Volunteer Coordinator, which means I work with volunteers and with AIDS Network's fundraising events. I started working at AIDS Network in April 2010.

What is your involvement with the ACT Ride?
I recruit and organize the Day Crew members who staff the pit stops along the route, and who help at camp and in the kitchen. I also oversee the Development Interns who work all summer to secure food donations which the Food Crew use to cook delicious meals at camp.
What's your favorite thing about the ACT Ride?

The best thing about the ACT Ride is seeing the incredible support so many people have for AIDS Network and our clients. Riders, Crew and Day Crew may become involved with the Ride for many different reasons, but they all make a tremendous effort that in turn, makes a tremendous difference for the agency and the daily lives of clients. 

I also really enjoy riding in the car with Jim Berger. We greet Day Crew at each pit stop, and since Jim's been involved with the ACT Ride from the start, riding with him means I get to learn ACT Ride history at every turn.

What do you hope the ACT Ride will be like in ten years?

 I hope that in ten years, the community supporting the ACT Ride will be even larger and stronger than it is today. Like many, I hope medical treatments for HIV improve; I hope for effective prevention to reach every person at risk to transmit or contract HIV; I hope that in ten years, new diagnoses HIV and AIDS will be a thing of our past. But despite whatever medical and educational advancements may come, the need for an event like the ACT Ride will never go away. The ACT Ride is a way to remember and honor those we’ve lost, a way to celebrate how far we've come, and a way to share motivation for the road ahead. The ACT Ride has made a tremendous difference in the lives of many, many people during its first ten years and I can only hope it will continue to reach more and more during the next 10! 

What’s your favorite part of your job at AIDS Network?

My favorite days at work are when I match a client with a volunteer. Volunteers often work in client homes on a regular basis, helping with chores, errands, or just providing company and support. It's humbling to see clients open their lives to volunteers, and humbling to see volunteers who are willing to be present and dedicated to their client.

Please share a “Random Act of Kindnes” from your time with the agency.

I have several: Clients who farm bring fresh produce to the food pantry; one volunteer drives another volunteer home so she doesn't have to take the bus in the rain; staff members provide meals to other staff who are new parents; a group of staff get together to paint a co-worker's new office. I feel privileged and very lucky to get to work with people who not only care deeply about the mission of AIDS Network but also for each other!

Wisconsin AIDS Ride  //  AIDS Network   //  www.actride.org  //   www.aidsnetwork.org