Updates from ExtremeStrengthBMX

Congratulations "Cool Hand" - Grant Award Winner

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:07:50 GMT

Cole "Cool Hand" was notified yesterday (September 6, 2007) that he is the weekly winner of the Game Stop $500 Youth Grant. Grants are awarded on a weekly basis through

www.dosomething.org/grants to youth 25 years and under for their activities through schools, teams or alone that promotes a change in the world or their community. Please visit the page and see his accomplishment!

Great work CJ!

Newspaper article from the Herald and News on Augu...

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:04:12 GMT

Father begins BMX club for his son after mother passes away

August 14, 2007

Sometimes the best ideas stem out of tragedy.

For Cole Bradley this was the case, after his wife died Bradley saw that his son was not himself and wanted to do something to get him back to the son he knew prior to losing his mother.

He was not like himself, Bradley said. His grades dropped and he was just not the same person he had been.

Bradley said it was then that his son discovered BMX racing.

Once he started to really get into it he changed, Bradley said. He was happier and he liked to be around the sport and always wanted to be out on the track racing.

From his sons love of the sport Bradley decided he wanted to form his own team and get more kids involved in the sport.

I broke my hand around the time my wife died and I couldn’t work, Bradley said. Then I had the idea to start the team. I have always wanted to work with kids.

The idea that he came up with has blossomed into the Extreme Strength BMX -- Team Extreme of Klamath Falls.

The team works with Integral Youth Services, Child Development, the Juvenile Authorities and others to give children an alternative to drugs, alcohol, gangs and the street.

Bradley said that was his intent from the moment he came up with the idea for the team.

I wanted to keep kids off the street and give them something constructive to do, Bradley said. We want to teach them how to work hard and they are learning something they might be able to put to use later in life when we teach them how to work on bikes.

To become a member of the team children must be under 18 and they have to sign a code of conduct with their parents.

The code of conduct is meant to teach the children to respect their elders, both on and off the track. They also have to maintain good grades and cannot be involved in any drugs or alcohol.

Violations to the code are handled on a case-by-case basis. Bradley said there is a zero-tolerance policy to the use of drugs and alcohol.

BMX is not a cheap sport to get into. Bradley estimates that the cost for members can be up to $1500.

The team has some corporate BMX sponsors that have given them cheaper rates on some of the things required to start the team. While the team has the bikes and most of things they need the other thing they are looking to get now is uniforms and gloves.

For more information on the team contact Cole or Rene Bradley at TeamExtreme@peoplepc.com.

- By Ross L. Timbrook

We're getting well known!

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 12:50:00 GMT

We were selling raffle tickets at a local bank on Friday. First some people would go by and say, "Thanks, but I don't need a bike". Then they would come back and say "I know who you are! I've heard about you." They would buy raffle tickets and tell us to put the name of a child that could use the bike on their tickets or just give us a donation and tell us to forget the tickets. Several were more interested in asking questions about our team then they were about getting tickets, but they finally bought some. Some said they heard about us at company meetings, from kids, in the paper and from other people. Guess the word is spreading. Making money and finding out that people really like what we are doing!

News from July 30

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:28:44 GMT

July 30, 2007

Please take a minute to view our list of sponsors. These are great people that really deserve your support! Keep watching for more names to be added!!

A BIG THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!!

Thanks for all your help. Without you, we never would have gotten this far!

THIS IS WHAT YOUR HELP IS DOING...

We no longer have to borrow bikes for our members to race. We have been able to build bikes so each member has one, and we have just placed orders for two new bikes, bike parts and racing plates.

We are ordering helmets so each member will have their own.

Within the next two weeks, we hope to put in an order for a new personalized jersey for each member!

We now have a team of 5 members and we are handing out more registration forms. Today alone, we handed out 4 more forms.

Also, take a minute to look at the new photos in our gallery. Give these kids a big hand. They are doing great!

"I think the "Extreme Strength" program is one of ...

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:20:55 GMT

Hi!

We now have our Non-profit number and we are contacting organizations for member referral. We have sponsors that are willing to sell us equipment at a much reduced cost. We are submitting applications for grants, sponsorships and donations to help us fund the necessary items for these children. We estimate the cost will be $1000 per child to start.

Our immediate goal is 50 children. Please join us in changing a child's life!

One of the organizational directors we are working with said the following:

"I think the 'Extreme Strength' program is one of the most innovative and wonderful outreaches to youth I've heard about for a long time! It is beautifully conceived and I can see how something like this could grow!"

With your help we can make it a success in Klamath and then spread across the country to other teams at other BMX tracks.

July 17 -- Surgery is over!!

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:17:29 GMT

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted everyone to know my surgery went well. I'll be in a cast for awhile (for those of you that are wondering, no this wasn't a racing injury) so no more racing for me right now, but that's ok. Gives me more time with the team! Got in one last race on Sunday.

Please be sure to check out our sponsors. We appreciate all of you! We have some new members and we are getting more. Just need equipment for them but we are working on that! Thanks everyone for all your support.

Cole