The Swamp Club is a group of crazy maniac bike enthusiasts that like to dig in the dirt and take care of ‘extremely large yards’, i.e. our trail systems in four different parks. Trail work is an endless labor of love, physically demanding for the most part and very rewarding when the workday is complete. Along with regular yard tools like hand clippers and leave blowers, your membership dollars help fund more serious equipment like heavy duty mowers, equipment trailers and all the stuff necessary to get the job done.
What happens to the funds behind the Donate button? Some of those funds are turned into trail construction materials, and the tools and equipment needed to build and maintain our trails. This would include purchasing tools like picks and shovels, and more serious equipment like commercial duty mowers, dirt moving equipment, and all the other stuff needed to build and maintain trails. As an example, Swamp is looking at donated funds to help purchase a tractor/lawnmower for Boyette, extend Starkey Park trails and build the Pinellas trails.
Behind the donate button you will also see an opportunity to support and grow the Brian Boyle Foundation Fund. Brian was a very dedicated trail boss who lost his battle with cancer last year. His family asked us to set up a foundation in his name with NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) being the recipients. NICA supports us with trail volunteers and in November 2024, we will join efforts to build the Squiggy Gnome Roam event. A portion of those funds will be added to Brian’s foundation and disbursed to NICA based on collective annual volunteer hours and distributed to individual teams. Such a great win-win opportunity for our organizations to work together building our future bike riders. (NICA is a national organization of Jr High and High School kids turning into racing bike maniacs, and we have several local teams in our area.)
The donate button gives you the option to specify where your donation will be applied (build the Pinellas trails, extend the Starkey Park trails, build the Brian Boyle foundation or to help purchase a tractor for Boyette). Please know that these funds are important and that our organization appreciates your generosity.
Sponsorships: We love a win-win situation and know that the advertising opportunities for our sponsors are beneficial. Sponsorship support is integral in facilitating all the above goals. Swamp has plans and we will spend approximately $100k on all the above-mentioned goals.
Potential sponsors, please know how important your support is to help us accomplish what we have slated for our community. To see our current sponsors or get information on how to become a sponsor, please visit our Sponsors page.
As part of our 2024 strategic plan, we will be filing for grant money. If you have any suggestions or know of appropriate grant funding opportunities, please send information to Pat.Sanchez@Swampmtbclub.com. We would certainly appreciate your input.
Finally, our fundraising events. These funds go into the operational side of the club, taking care of our administrative needs.
CroomFest: Swamp’s premier event, held the first full weekend in February. Camp and play for five days with other like-minded outdoor enthusiasts! February 6-10, 2025.
Squiggy’s Gnome Roam: November 7-10, 2024. Grab a team and join Swamp and NICA in a
relay endurance challenge.
As you can see, there are many ways to share your support. Whichever way you choose, your contribution is important.
It truly takes a community, and we thank you for being part of ours.