Tomassoni Tour Raises More than $282,000 in Second Year
Setting A Fundraising Record For Never Surrender Inc
Photo Credit: Danger Bird Productions
SEPTEMBER 2024 | TOWER, MN
Never Surrender’s newest event, the Tomassoni Tour, wrapped up its second year this fall. setting a record for the most money raised in a second-year event: $282,122.
The Tomassoni Tour is structured similar to the Black Woods Blizzard Tour. Cyclists fundraise and are provided with a red-carpet experience: Hotel, meals, entertainment, transportation, and trail support throughout the weekend.
This year, 70 cyclists and over 40 volunteers gathered at Fortune Bay Resort Casino in Tower, Minnesota to pay tribute to the late Senator Tomassoni and to continue the good work Tomassoni started in bringing awareness and raising funds for ALS.
Highlights of the event included Duluth anchor, Baihly Warfield, cycling and co-emceeing for the event and former Minnesota Twin and MLB World Series champ, Kent Hrbek, performing as live auctioneer. Hrbek’s auctioneer skills brought in almost $9,000 for one-of-a-kind Tomassoni Tour items.
Terry Steinbach, also a MLB World Series champ, participated in the tour with his wife, Mary. Terry said, “Mary and I look forward to this event because it’s something that we can do together. The e-bikes make it doable for anyone and it’s really a relaxing and enjoyable time for us." When asked what he would say to someone unsure about joining the tour, Steinbach said “If I can do it, anyone can do it!”
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease), affects over 18,000 people in the United States. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed and someone passes away from ALS. There is currently no cure for ALS and only 3 drug treatment options available to people with ALS. Our goal is fairly simple at Never Surrender Inc: We want to help those who have ALS with their daily lives, while also helping to find a cure.
