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FAITH, LOVE AND HOPE FOR HOPP
by: Debbie Denova-Baker
Community members rally to support a well-loved fitlifer in overcoming the challenge of a lifetime.
Once in a blue moon, if we’re lucky, we meet someone whose inner light shines so brightly that people just flock to get a little closer to it. Scott Hoppmeyer is one such person. When asked to describe him, friends and family don’t just compliment him; they gush about him. They speak of his heart for people, his passion for cycling, his lovable personality and his unconditional generosity. But most importantly, since September of last year, they speak of his challenges.
That’s when life, as the fit 57-year-old
While that was certainly a turning part in his story, it was by no means the end. In fact, at the time of his accident, the hopeful foundation for Scott’s miraculous recovery had already been laid. And, unbeknownst to Scott, it had been laid by his own heartfelt efforts: a lifetime invested in giving, loving and caring for other people.
“What has moved me personally is the amount of people Scott has had an impact on outside of our area,” said Shannon Atkinson, BCC Vice President. “Three weeks ago I was in a bike shop in
Scott is that kind of person, the kind that would authentically open his heart in service to those among us who need it the most; and that’s why so many have been touched, moved and inspired to help him overcome the kind of challenge he is facing now.
This year on April 29, 2012 the Bayou Country Cyclists club (BCC), the Green Team and Bayou Runners Association (BRASS) hope to mobilize the largest number of community members in the history of their Annual Spring Ride in support of the miraculous recovery Scott deserves.
Every year the BCC hosts the Spring ride to benefit a different charity. This year, proceeds from the event will go to Help Hope Live as the Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund in honor of Scott Hoppmeyer and will be applied to offset the hefty medical expenses associated with Scott’s care and rehabilitation.
“This is truly a family event, with activities that every member of the family can enjoy no matter the fitness level,” said Natalie Lindsay of the BCC. “We hope to see a lot of community participation. This event is going to be huge!”
In addition to 25-, 42- and 64-mile bike rides, the full-day event will feature a 5k run (which starts and finishes in Peltier Park and goes through Thibodaux) a children’s obstacle course, a silent auction, food, drinks and fun, the better to encourage participants of all ages to come out in support of Scott.
“Being able to take part in an event that will help an individual directly is what Bayou Runners is all about,” said Toby Hubbell, President of BRASS, which is heading up the 5k. “This community is full of people who love coming together for great causes. Scott is an individual that was hurt doing what we all love to do, live life while being active. Being able able to have a day that will give us a chance to help Scott and all be active is perfect.”
The organizations wish to relay that safety is priority in planning this event. In addition to SAG support and rest stops along the way, event coordinators will have riders dismount and walk their bikes across grated bridges. Southdown Mandalay is on the route, but Lindsay says the bridge on which Scott’s accident occurred has been repaired with the seams running horizontally now. Even still, coordinators are taking extra precautions to keep every rider safe. Riders will be alerted one mile and ½ mile before the bridge.
“Our hope and goal is to get Scott the therapy and rehab he needs to be healthy again,” said Lindsay. “We miss riding with him very much, but mostly we miss the fun and personality he brought to our rides. He is such an asset to so many communities, locally and worldwide, and we want him to be a part of it all again in his active way.”
“We encourage everyone with a bike or running shoes to come out and participate in our event,” said Trahan. “This event is not just for the well seasoned cyclist or runner; this event is for everyone to come out with their families, enjoy themselves, support an incredible cause and person, and maybe, just maybe, fall in love with a sport and activity you would have never though twice about before.”
“The cycling community has always been very personal and close knit,” said Atkinson. “We look out for each other. When riding together we are no longer doctors, lawyers, nurses and policemen, but simply cyclists. That is the beauty of the sport. The BCC Spring ride this year will be for Scott's benefit. Yes, the focus will be on a healthy, safe and enjoyable family-oriented day, and there will be room for everyone from the racers to the randonneurs. But the bottom line is this year will be for Scott--Scott the cyclist.”
A climbing specialist is a road bicycle racer who can ride especially well on highly inclined roads. In the Tour De France, the best climber is awarded a polka dot jersey and proclaimed “King of the Mountains”. Scott is going for that polka dot jersey, and we encourage fitlifers everywhere to rally behind him in achieving that goal. Call your friends and family, and sign up for the Spring Ride today.
<<Amanda, this will be a sidebar with a picture of Matt and Scott above it. It’s a direct quote that I didn’t want to break up, because it so adequately summarizes the kind of feel I’m getting about Scott from everyone who has responded. He’s so loved!>>
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SCOTT IS...
“I would venture to say that you can travel all over the world and not meet anyone like Scott. From the first time you meet him you are struck with his compassion, friendliness, love, and just all around niceness. He will tell you about his job and how loves to ride his bike, but he won't tell you about his mission trips to Haiti after the earthquakes, or about his love of volunteering his time for the Special Olympics, or about volunteering his time and services with his church for numerous other charities. No, he won't talk about that because getting the job done means way much more to him than personal recognition. That speaks volumes about Scott. If you are looking for Scott at an event, look for the biggest crowd because people are drawn to him and love to be around him. What else can I say about Scott other than he is that once in a lifetime person you meet, that once you meet him, your life has changed for the better...He is in our thoughts and prayers every single day. We ride (and race) for Scott.”
-Matt Trahan, Safety Coordinator, BCC
Spring Ride
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Peltier Park,
7:00 a.m. 5k begins (water stations along the route)
7:45 a.m. Rides begin (includes three distances, 25, 42 and 66 miles)
10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. Kids Obstacle Course (includes challenging and fun stations; mass start; timed)
Scott D Hoppmeyer
Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund
Family and friends of Scott Hoppmeyer are raising money to pay for uninsured medical expenses associated with catastrophic injury.
Scott has chosen to fundraise with Help, Hope, Live / NTAF - The Leader in Fundraising Assistance and Support for Transplant and Catastrophic Injury in part because HHL / NTAF provides both tax-deductibility and fiscal accountability to contributors. Contributors can be sure that funds contributed will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a contribution to this fundraising campaign:
Make checks payable to:
NTAF Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund
Note in memo section:
In Honor of Scott Hoppmeyer
Mail to:
NTAF/HHL,
For secure credit card donations:
Call 800-642-8399 or go to the help, hope live link on the home page of this web-site
For more information, please contact NTAF at 800-642-8399.
Thanks for your support!
*Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. This campaign is administered by HelpHOPELive (National Transplant Assistance Fund, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing fundraising assistance to transplant and catastrophic injury patients. Information: 800.642.8399.
The Bayou Country Cyclists club (BCC) is an organization dedicated to promoting bicycling with an emphasis on advancing bicycle riding as recreation, an alternative mode of transportation and racing in the greater Houma-Thibodaux area through its various cycling activities. The club is a member of the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) and the USA Cycling Federation (USACF). The BCC represents a wide range of cyclists, from beginners to seasoned competitive riders. BCC and Green Team members are always available to advise prospective members about training, riding and racing techniques.