Ahhhh.. *leaned back, feet up* I’m so very happy to report the 3rd annual OTB BALL is complete and considered another success for the Pittsburgh BELLAs! A few more roundhouse kicks to the cancer FACE!! Our total funds raised are down some from last year, but we are still very happy to report we raised $3262.00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!! I’m so proud of my team for taking on this event together. Take that ya stoopid blood cancers! Rrroooarrrrrr!! I am pretty certain Ryo can rock out the most intense roar out of all of us too, so dont make her do it. You’ve been warned.
Now onto some very important shout outs to everyone who helped make this event possible! Lots of coordinating and hours put in by the BELLAs, but we truly couldnt do it without the following companies supporting the cause with us! First and foremost a big shout out and thank you to OTB BICYCLE CAFE for truly being the biggest sponsor of the night in providing us a home for the event! Mike and Marty are seriously some of theeeee nicest and most awesome guys around, so please make sure you show your support and check the place out sometime soon! Their menu is soooo good too! I fight the urge to drink their ranch dressing every time I eat there. Is that messed up? (Note: The day the BELLAs make it on the OTB menu will be a glorious one! A 2012 team goal actually. Can I get a Pittsburgh BELLA and a side salad with ranch? Extra ranch. Word!)
Below is a complete list of sponsors and all our prize winners for the night. I’m actually still working on contacting everyone so you just might see your name and not even know you won yet. For being unemployed for almost two weeks now I cant get over how busy I have been. World domination takes a lot of time and logistics, but I digress…
SPONSOR – Donation – WINNER
ABRA RACING - $25.00 Race Entry – STACIE TRUSZKOWSKI
ABRA RACING - $25.00 Race Entry – MIKE QUIGLEY
ABRA RACING - $25.00 Race Entry – DAHN PAHRS
BYS YOGA - 4-class pass – TJ PLATT
CARNEGIE MUSEUMS of PGH - Family Membership – REBECCA & SETH
CHEESECAKE FACTORY - $25.00 Gift Card – JAMIE
DIRT RAG MAGAZINE - 2012 Women’s Jersey – JENN. W
DIRT RAG MAGAZINE - 2012 Men’s Jersey – COLIN MANN
DIRT RAG MAGAZINE - Coffee Mugs & Socks – MISC. WINNERS
DZ NUTS - Bliss Chamois Cream for Women & Swag - MULTIPLE WINNERS
EAST END BREWING - Growler Set – RYAN FERGUSON
GREAT LAKES BREWING - $60 Gift Basket & Swag – MATT M.
HOFFBRAUHAUS - $50 Gift Card – DOOR PRIZE WINNER
JUST DUCKY TOURS - 2 Adult / 2 kid Pass – REBECCA & SETH
MODCLOTH – Patchwork Hand Bag – KATE
MOJO RUNNING - $50 Gift Card & Gal Swag – BRIANNE STUN
MOJO RUNNING - $50 Gift Card & Guy Swag – CODY PETERS
OTB BICYCLE CAFE - $30 Gift Card & Swag – JOE MALONE
PITTSBURGH PIRATES - (2) Ticket Vouchers & Swag – KENDA WHEAT
PRO BIKES - Specialized Globe Commuter Bike – JEREMY PALERMO
PSYCLE FITNESS - $75 Gift Card & Swag – ALISON
QUILTATIONS – Pillow Cases & Movie Gift Card – CHASE DAVIS
RIVERS CASINO - Grandview Buffet for Two – DOOR PRIZE WINNER
ROCK BOTTOM BREWERY - $25.00 Gift Card – TIM MOULD
STEEL VALLEY CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CENTER – Biofreeze – COOKIE CONTEST WINNER
TIMBER RIDGE BREWING - Lymphomaniac Special Brew – STOUT DRINKERS UNITE!
TOP GEAR - Fit Squared Studio Bicycle Fit – CHASE DAVIS
TOP GEAR - 20 Hour Computrainer Pass – STACIE TRUSZKOWSKI
TREK OF PITTSBURGH - $200 Swag Basket – JOE PALERMO
VENTURE OUTDOORS - Membership Package – KATE
UPMC SPORTS MEDICINE - Performance Cycling Fit – CHASE DAVIS
WALZ CAPS - Caps – MULTIPLE WINNERS
WENDY WEST-HICKEY - Fitness Assessment – JAMIE YODER
Donated by Others:
(4) seats to March 7th Penguins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs & Parking Pass – ADAM BACKO
The Carlton $100 Gift Card – MATT LAUTHER
A final shout out to everyone who actually came to the B.A.L.L. (which is actually an acronym for BELLAs AGAINST LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA.. clever, eh? But tends to make people think they have to dress up. Not the case.) A LOT of our profits came from the fee at the door, so I hope everyone was happy with the evening, food, raffle prizes, door prizes, cookie contest (heh heh) and well.. dance fever for the few who rocked it out. Man, I was so proud of that playlist. What a bust! We either need to consider bagging it altogether or I did manage to meet a DJ recently who has a very reasonable price for fundraiser events. Should we amp it up or ditch it altogether? We are definitely open to any and all ideas, suggestions and lessons learned for next year, so please keep us posted if you do have any for us! We would love the feedback.
Lastly, I honestly feel so blessed to be included with such an amazing team of athletes and friends! I feel blessed to have met so many wonderful people through cycling and love when we get an opportunity to come together and do something awesome that is bigger and better as a group than something we could have done as individuals. I saw a lot of true colors come out of people through this event and I mean that in a good way. DOOOUBLE RAINBOOOOW kinda colors people and I freaking love all of you for it! *big hug* 
