signing of the beam

a week late getting this out, but Nacho and i were able to attend the CHOI Signing of the Beam last Thurs. we were able to sign the BHSC and all skiers to commemorate our contribution to CHOI. thanks to Joe for reminding us! unfortunately we didn't take a camera with us so we don't have a picture. we'll all just have to take comfort in the fact that our names are now a permanent part of the new facility!

Panoramic Skiers

Another Successful Event!

While the totals are not in for the entire event, we can tell you that the Chillicothe Riverfront reception was a HUGE success. We raised an additional $1,000.00 from food donations, t-shirt sales, and raffle ticket sales.

More importantly, we had a great day of skiing! We couldn't have asked for better weather. And we made it back to Chillicothe, IL in record time - with 45 minutes to spare. We used that time to hang out and relax for the "finale" ski into the riverfront where we were greeted by our largest crowd to date.

Thanks everyone for your support and generous donations. As soon as we have an official, number, we'll post it. See you in 2009!

Chillicothe Riverfront Reception Activities

We're in the final phases of securing food and music for the Riverfront Reception at the Chillicothe public docks.

• Children's Hospital of Illinois will be providing burgers and hot dogs for a "suggested donation" to CHOI!
• Children's Hospital of Illinois will also be providing activities for the kids: Sidewalk chalk, face painting, and more!
• 2 local musicians will be providing entertainment 5:30pm - 7:30pm while you wait for the skiers to come in.

Come out and enjoy the music and activities!!!

New for 2008 - Riverfront Raffle!!!

Thanks to our local businesses, we'll have raffle items available at the Chillicothe public docks while you wait for the skiers to come in.

Tickets for items in the following groups can be bought for $1 per ticket or $5 for 6 tickets:
Basket #1 – Summer Fun (beach towel, assorted items)
Basket #2 – Hairmasters (assorted hair care items)
Basket #3 – A & A Chiropractic (revitalizing items)
Basket #4 – Picket Fence ($50.00 flower arrangement)

Ticket for items in the following groups can be bought for $5 per ticket:
Basket #5 – Maui Jim
1 pair Maui Jim sport sunglasses
1 Maui Jim hat
1 Maui Jim t-shirt
1 Maui Jim visor clip
1 Maui Jim drink koozie
Basket #6 – Maui Jim
1 pair Maui Jim sport sunglasses
1 Maui Jim hat
1 Maui Jim t-shirt
1 Maui Jim visor clip
1 Maui Jim drink koozie

Drawings will take place at our "after party" at the Indian Head Boat Club (just south of the Chilli docks). You do not have to be present to win.

Thanks again to our local vendors for their generous donations!

About Ride The Wake

Ride The Wake is a water ski marathon to benefit Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, IL. 2008 marks our 11th year and boy are we excited!

RTW was established by Joe T and his family. Their son was a patient at CHOI when he was born. Joe and his family was so overwhelmed by the quality of care that they received from CHOI, that he wanted to give back to the organization that gave so much to him. Joe has been an avid skier for as long as any of us can remember. He thought what better way than to organize his skiing friends to raise funds.

The first several years of RTW consisted of skiing from Chicago, IL all the way to St. Louis, MO over 2 days. The first day of skiing would start in downtown Chicago (yes, i really said downtown) and stop in Peoria where everyone could spend the night (lucky for us, in our own homes). The 2nd day would begin in Peoria and end at The Arch in St. Louis. A very cool ending to say the least.

About 4 years ago, in an effort to cut cost so we could give more to CHOI, we decided to make our event a 1-day event. Our route now starts in the St. Louis area and ends in Peoria/Chillicothe, IL. While we miss seeing the Arch, we love ending our event in the area we are trying to support.

Over the course of the past 10 years, our group of friends has raised close to $100,000.00 for CHOI. Through family, friends, co-workers, sponsors, strangers, and a lot of t-shirt sales, we've raised a lot of money for a well-deserving organization.

Thanks to all those people, our sponsors, and the team of skiiers that have made this possible!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Ride The Wake blog. We've set this up to, hopefully be a simple and easy way to reference our cause. Thanks for supporting us.