Just about a year ago, the Off Road Riders Foundation was
established at the request of the family of one of our young subscribers who was killed in
an automobile accident on the way home from a desert race.
Cooper Jancic, 21, was involved in a single-vehicle accident near his home, and after several days in a coma, he passed away. Hundreds of friends and family members attended the memorial service of this well-liked young man.
As friends and family members searched for places to make donations in his memory, we were contacted by his parents about the possibility of starting a foundation to benefit injured off road enthusiasts.
After some research and much discussion among ourselves and with Cooper's family, we founded the Off Road Riders Foundation, a California non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.
Initial donations were made in the memory of Cooper by friends, family and business acquaintances.
A few months later, when Jim Peterson, founder of the San Diego Off Road Coalition passed away, we received a generous donation in his memory from the current board members of the San Diego Off Road Coalition.
Tankslappers Motorcycle Club has been very generous to the Foundation, with a $1,000 donation presented at the Tankslappers GP at Carlsbad this past summer.
In its early stages, the Foundation is still in the fund-raising mode. However, as funds build up, applications will be accepted for injured off road enthusiasts who require financial assistance. Applicants must be residents of San Diego County.
The Foundation intends on making a one-time financial gift to people who have been injured while participating in an off road event or while traveling to or from the event. The event can be an organized event, or purely recreational. The person must also show proof of financial need. The money can be used to assist with medical or personal bills accumulated while injured.
The Foundation will also provide assistance to surviving family members of persons killed while pursuing an off road event or traveling to or from an off-road related activity.
All donations made to the Off Road Riders Foundation are tax deductible. A donation receipt will be mailed to all donors.
If you know of a friend or family member in the off road community who has passed away, and are looking for a place to send memorial donations, we encourage you to request that donations be sent to the Off Road Riders Foundation. All donations in memory of another person will be acknowledged with a receipt to the donor and with formal notification to the family members of the deceased.
If you have questions about the Off Road Riders Foundation, or have fund-raising suggestions, please leave a message on our 24-hour voice mail (619) 595-3886 or email [email protected].
To make a donation, make your check payable to Off Road Riders Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 1630, Julian CA 92036. If it is a memorial donation, please provide the name of the deceased and, if possible, contact information for their nearest surviving family member.