Waukon area native Tim Dougherty plans something special in honor of local heroes as RAGBRAI® makes a stop in his hometown

Tree planting ceremony in Waukon City Park to honor local emergency responders through Team BackStoppers

For many riders, RAGBRAI® is exactly what its name says it should be - a great bike ride across Iowa. But for 1974 Waukon High School graduate Tim Dougherty, the annual event has become so much more, and he has something extra planned when the ride comes through his native Waukon later this month. Dougherty, who currently lives in Eureka, MO, has only become an avid road bicyclist within the past half dozen years or so, but the most recent half of those years has developed much more meaning. This will be the fourth consecutive year that Dougherty has ridden RAGBRAI as part of a group called Team BackStoppers.

The goal of the Team BackStoppers group is to be an outreach for The BackStoppers, Inc., an organization that got its start in 1959 and provides the needed support and financial assistance to the spouses and children of local police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs who have lost their lives or suffered a catastrophic injury performing their duty. That assistance is immediate and ongoing, with the goal to make the family debt-free and then provide ongoing support for education and other extraordinary expenses. According to The BackStoppers' philosophy stated on the group's website, "The BackStoppers recognizes the tremendous sacrifices that these public servants make every day when they go to work. We understand the burdens placed on surviving spouses and children when tragedies occur. We believe our community has an obligation to care for the loved ones of those who have protected us.

We accept the responsibility to make that happen." Additional information about the organization can be found at www.backstoppers.org.

For Dougherty, that philosophy fits right into his own way of thinking. "I do a lot of work with other
charities, and this fit into my line of work and provided me a way to help others at the same time," he said. "I joined a local team of riders that raises money to support the families of police and firefighters that were killed while on duty. This will be my fourth year in a row to ride RAGBRAI as part of Team BackStoppers. Our parent group, The BackStoppers of the St. Louis area, provides 100% of the financial support needed by these families." The Team BackStoppers organization that Dougherty rides to support gains its contributed funding through donations and pledges based on miles ridden during RAGBRAI. Anyone wishing to support Dougherty in his efforts, or learn more about his experience with Team BackStoppers may contact him via email at tjdkofc@charter.net.

SPECIAL PLACE, SPECIAL EVENT
With being a part of Team BackStoppers already adding further meaning to riding RAGBRAI for Dougherty, the fact that this year's RAGBRAI route travels through his native Allamakee County and will be spending an overnight in his hometown of Waukon takes that added meaning to a whole different level for him. "I'm thrilled to be riding through and showing off what, in my opinion, is going to be one of the most scenic parts of this year's ride, and maybe of any ride before," Dougherty boasted. "This is a special part of Iowa."

In addition to showing off his hometown area, Dougherty also plans to give special acknowledgment to the more local aspect of the cause his Team BackStoppers group works to support. Dougherty has organized a tree planting dedication ceremony to take place the Saturday morning, July 29, that RAGBRAI riders will be departing Waukon after their Friday overnight stay. That ceremony will take place at 7:15 a.m. in the Indian Springs Memorial Garden of Waukon City Park, next to Indian Springs Pond and the Eleventh Avenue SW roadway that borders the Memorial Garden area. "I've invited representatives of the local fire department, police department and sheriff's department to attend,"

Dougherty explained. "We're fortunate that we haven't had the kind of tragedy in the Waukon area that requires the support of The BackStoppers, and we hope and pray that continues for the men and women who serve and protect the area. But, we wanted to do something to honor the service they provide the community, so we decided planting and dedicating a tree would provide long-lasting evidence of our support."

The general public is also invited to attend the event. Dougherty and some of his fellow Team BackStoppers riders will be in attendance to personally thank the local officers and firefighters for their dedicated service.

EXPERIENCE THE GENEROSITY
Dougherty says something as special as RAGBRAI spending an overnight in his hometown community just seemed to be a fitting setting to do a little something extra. He says RAGBRAI certainly provides a venue to showcase how generous and kind so many can be. "Most everyone has heard that RAGBRAI is the world's largest bike ride," he said.

"From my point of view, it is also one of the largest charitable events you will ever see. When I started riding my road bike five or six years ago and going on a few local rides in the St. Louis area, the first thing younotice is all the jerseys being worn supporting all kinds of different charities. Most of the rides are organized by major charities as one of the biggest events on their calendars."

Dougherty further explained that the generosity to charities is just a part of the overall giving spirit of those who take part in RAGBRAI. He also encourages everyone to get involved with the local hosting effort in whatever way they can to be able to experience firsthand all that RAGBRAI and the people who take part in it can offer. "Our group will be but one of hundreds of other groups that use RAGBRAI as a platform for their efforts," he said. "As the ride winds its way across Iowa every year, the riders will also be donating their money to all the local churches and civic organizations that reach out to provide the meals we need, and the best desserts found anywhere. So, keep in mind when you are putting in all the hours it takes to host this event that you will be supporting our efforts in no small measure. The cycling community is made up of so many giving and caring people. You will see this firsthand in July. We are also the most patient and understanding group that will ever invade Waukon, so if things aren't perfect, it won't bother us." Whatever may transpire during the ride, Dougherty is certain and excited about one thing. "I'm looking forward to riding in July and showing off the wonderful area I have the privilege of calling home," he summarized.