Cinch I.T. President Porter returns to charity march for second year
Cinch I.T. President Rick Porter
Pulling from his time in the U.S. Army, Cinch I.T. President Rick Porter will lead his company in hosting the second annual 100-Mile Ruck March from July 21-24.
Proceeds from the event will go to Why Me & Sherry’s House, a Worcester-based nonprofit that supports pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Over the four-day event, athletes will trudge 100 miles with 35-40 pound packs strapped to their backs. Each day will conclude at a local brewery where marchers can camp in the yard.
Participants can enter for free and raise money by posting personal fundraising pages on a website created by Cinch I.T., decorated with photos and descriptions of their reasons for participating.
The event will also gather money through end-of-day parties capping each 25 mile trek. These celebrations are open to athletes, community members, and supporters to encourage the marchers and contribute to the cause. Attendees can donate to the charity directly or by purchasing goods.
Porter mapped the course himself, taking marchers through a grueling combination of shadeless pavement and woods made precarious by mosquitos and haphazard roots.
“You really bond with people when you go through this type of event and this type of struggle,” Porter said.
Last year, Porter and his company raised $72,000, dwarfing their original goal of $15,000. Porter was among the 10 participants out of 15 who finished the course.
Prior to jumpstarting the march as a charity event, Cinch I.T. has worked with Why Me & Sherry’s House providing technology support.
Through his work with the organization, Porter says he was inspired to contribute to the nonprofit.
“I imagine my own children getting sick and how devastated my family would be, how much of a financial struggle that could be and how difficult that could be on marriages and siblings,” Porter said. “It really hits home, and that's why I wanted to be involved and why our company wanted to be involved.”
Porter’s experience with military ruck marches helped him brainstorm the COVID-friendly fundraiser, he said.
“During COVID, we saw them have a really hard time because most of their fundraising events are in person,” Porter said. He created the Ruck March, an event that would draw plenty of support for Why Me & Sherry’s House and inspire people to challenge themselves.
Porter plans to march again this year; Currently, 34 hikers are signed up, over double last year’s turnout.
“My goal is to compete in it every year until my body fails me,” Porter said.
For this year’s march, Porter aims to top last year’s total– a goal well within reach considering the event has already amassed $61,000. Porter hopes community members will hear about the event and show their support at the brewery parties.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments