Dear friends and family.

It’s Sunday, May 22, 2016 and I’m about to catch a flight for yet another biz trip.

Three weeks from today, I will have joined my Team Samaritan House mates for the 2016 Ride the Rockies bike tour. This will be the 6th time this evolving group of cycling friends – now counting 33 - will push our own physical limits while raising funds for the homeless in northern Colorado.

Last night I joined many of my teammates in an evening of service at the Samaritan House. We volunteered to serve dinner for a hundred or more folks assisted by Catholic Charities through Sam House. It was a wonderfully inspiring experience. I recognized several faces that I see on street corners around town. Many of those faces will be familiar to you as well – no matter where you live. What surprised me most was seeing quite a few people who would not look out of place in any of our neighborhoods or offices. Indeed, times are still hard for many and Samaritan House fills an important role in bringing some stability to their lives.  

The Samaritan House staff was consistently professional and collegial. They treated each guest with compassion and complete respect. Each guest with whom I engaged expressed sincere gratitude for our service and commitment. Being among them all was among the most humbling experiences I can recall.

The evening at Sam House provided an excellent reminder as to why Team Samaritan House was established in the first place and the significance of the mission we are privileged to support.  The Samaritan House website tells the story much better than I do.

So, as I climb back in saddle for 6 days, 403 miles and over 29,000 feet of elevation gain, I ask you to join me in helping make the lives of our homeless neighbors a little better through the work of Catholic Charities and the shelters they support in northern Colorado.  

My goal for this year is $5,000. We got really close to that bar last year and I am grateful to everyone who joined that successful effort. As is my tradition when asking others to support my charitable activities like this one, I’ll go first by committing $500 to the cause. Please join me in making life a little better for others. 

You may make a donation through this site.

Or if you prefer, checks can be sent to:

In the memo line include: RTR - Russ Shaw
Catholic Charities
PO Box 100728
Denver, CO 80250-0728

Thank for for supporting Team Samaritan House.