volunteers showcase: group 6

Group 6 showcases all of our 2009 rookie volunteers - many who started as riders themselves and others who are family and friends. They were wonderful additions so read about them below:

Name: Amy Becker
Nickname: Becker or any number of variations- Becks, Beckless, Beckster.
Why/how did you become involved with RTR? A coworker invited me to join with Team DFL two years ago.
What are you most excited about as a first-time volunteer? Being involved with the event again and getting to know the other volunteers.
Have you ever been involved with an event like this before? I rode with Team DFL last year.
What do you like doing in your spare time? Aside from cycling, I am a pretty typical Coloradan- hiking, walking my doggie around Wash Park, camping, games at Coors Field. Basically anything that gets me into the great outdoors!
What Colorado town is your favorite? Denver!
Name: Debbie Bender
Nickname: Debs or Debo (depending on if you are Australian or American!)
Why/how did you become involved with RTR? Our good friends have been riding and volunteering for RTR for years. We became involved through them and fell in love with both the idea of touring through the most beautiful places in Colorado on our favorite means of transportation, a bike, and the idea that Colorado communities benefit from RTR! How cool is that?
What are you most excited about as a first-time volunteer? First, I am really excited to be a part of an organization that is giving back to Colorado communities. I am also excited to learn the ropes and add value to the RTR organization. Finally, I am MOST excited to be a member of the team that helps make RTR a memorable, fun, and exciting experience for the riders.
What do you like doing in your spare time? When I am not pedaling my bike, I love riding my dirt bike with my family, watching my husband compete on his dirt bike, or doing school work for my second Master's Degree. I also love supporting my 10 and 13 yr old kids compete in cheerleading.
What Colorado town is your favorite? I have two: Tin Cup and Crystal - two small, beautiful, obscure and off the beaten path towns. Google them and see for yourself!
Name: Judith Dixon
Why/how did you become involved with RTR? I decided to volunteer because I thought it would be more fun than sagging my family!
What are you most excited about as a first-time volunteer? As a 1st time volunteer I am excited to get to know the other volunteers better; they all seem to be really neat people.
Have you ever been involved with an event like this before? Yes, I was the coordinator for the Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association bike ride for five years, so I know exactly what is involved in putting an event like this together. Our numbers were about 900 cyclists and it was only a one day event but we had many people with special needs.
What do you like doing in your spare time? In our spare time we travel, take care of our grandchildren, study foreign languages, and go to the theatre.
What Colorado town is your favorite? I love Glenwood Springs and Salida, but I enjoy most of the Colorado towns we have visited in the last years.
Name: Nolan Epple
Nickname: Little kids call me "No No"
Why/how did you become involved with RTR? I wanted to ride for years but have a bad back so this is the next best thing! Worm has been talking it up for years.
What are you most excited about as a first-time volunteer? Just getting out of time and being part of the excitement.
Have you ever been involved with an event like this before? Not a week long event, but lots of volunteer work like Cherry Creek Arts Festival (security).
What do you like doing in your spare time? Read, cook, eat, drink, workout, and be with friends.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Other than Denver... probably Vail or Glenwood Springs.
Name: Kathy Jenks Harm
Nickname: Jenks
Why/how did you become involved with RTR? My husband will be riding this year.
What are you most excited about as a first-time volunteer? The hard work paid off with knowing I make a difference.
Have you ever been involved with an event like this before? I was crew for a 7-week ride across the country.
What do you like doing in your spare time? Who has spare time? I give a lot of time to the library and read voraciously. My husband and I enjoy traveling.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Telluride.
Name: Jim Helmer
Why/how did you did you become involved with RTR? I became involved with RTR as a rider. My first time was about nine years ago. Going over LaVeta Pass in a strong headwind was about the most frustrating thing I've ever done on a bike. The second time was with my daughter five years ago.
What are you most excited about as a first-time volunteer? As a first-time volunteer I'm excited about meeting the others. Since so many have been with the tour for so many years, it must be great fun!
Have you ever been involved with an event like this before? I've never been involved with such a program that lasts for so long, but I've volunteered for lots of projects. I'm a Master Gardener so I donate time to clinics and a neighbor and my wife and I are guardians of a landscape median by our house.
What do you like doing in your spare time? In my spare time, I enjoy reading, biking, hiking, gardening and personal investing. I retired from the Air Force Reserves years ago so reading military history appeals to me.
What Colorado town is your favorite? I like Salida and Buena Vista because of the rivers and the small quality of the towns. I love the old sections of Colorado Springs, since it is my hometown. My father was an officer in the Army Air Corps during the War and we lived on North Nevada Avenue and my mother worked for Colorado College when she was pregnant with me. She changed jobs and worked for a bank downtown because they offered her ten cents more per hour! Her ashes are scattered in the Garden of the Gods, near Manitou Springs, close to where we moved after North Nevada. Manitou Springs is a blast from the past! We have lived in Boulder in the same house for 30 years and I'd have to say that Boulder is my favorite place. I enjoy the eccentricities!
Name: Tim Jorgenson
Nickname: Chopper
Why/how did you become involved with RTR? To give the director, Chandler Smith, major grief.
What are you most excited about as a first-time volunteer? The unknown.
Have you ever been involved with an event like this before? Lance Armstrong and I raced through France one time- great pastries!
What do you like doing in your spare time? Anything outdoors.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Walden.
Name: Steve Norris
Nickname: None except the random names my wonderful daughter calls me.
Why/how did you become involved with RTR? Worm inspired me when he came to a volunteer project at Bluff Lake. His positive influence overcame the negative influence of my wonderful daughter.
What are you most excited about as a first-time volunteer? Being part of an iconic Colorado event - even if only to help - and mingling with a great group of folks.
Have you ever been involved with an event like this before? I have been a volunteer and volunteer leader at big events like the DNC and VOC projects.
What do you like doing in your spare time? I enjoy doing yard work at my wonderful daughter's house. I also enjoy traveling, bike riding, reading, and volunteering.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Guffey - but the best drive I ever had in Colorado was along the north rim of Black Canyon on a foggy morning in the fall.

Name: Jackie Norris
Why/how did you become involved with RTR? Wherever Elizabeth goes, her Dad and I go, and we're really delighted to be able to be involved with RTR.
What are you most excited about as a first-time volunteer? Seeing a great event from the inside, and getting to know the family of volunteers that make it work.
Have you ever been involved with an event like this before? I was with the Red Cross when they started the Fat Tire Classic and worked on that. I also worked for nonprofits my whole career, so events are part of nonprofit life, although not always on this scale.
What do you like doing in your spare time? Reading, travelling, getting together with friends and family, and volunteering a lot!
What Colorado town is your favorite? Wow...that's a hard choice...I love Denver, but I'm still discovering more Colorado places I love, even after 45 years living here.