organization news : Osprey Keeps its Support of the 88bikes Foundation Rolling in 2014

Cortez, CO – December 12, 2013 – Osprey Packs, Inc., a leader in creating top-quality, high-performance, innovative packs to comfortably and efficiently carry gear, has announced its continued support of the 88bikes Foundation, a nonprofit organization that endows bicycles to girls throughout the world, especially the heroic survivors of human trafficking.

“88bikes is an outstanding organization, and we believe strongly in their mission of giving bikes – and the joy and independence that bikes bring – to kids who have experienced so many challenges in their young lives,” said Jeff Fox, bike marketing manager at Osprey. “Not only is their work inspiring, but they are also a great partner, with first-rate accountability to ensure that every penny we raise goes directly towards their endowment projects.”

Since first teaming up with 88bikes in 2010, Osprey has donated over $10,000 to the nonprofit, primarily through cycling-specific hydration pack sales at Interbike Outdoor Demo, where 100 percent of the proceeds go to 88bikes. At this year’s Interbike sale, Osprey ran out of the fundraiser packs the first day and still raised close to $3000 for 88bikes.

Osprey first pledged their support for 88bikes in 2010 through a project that was especially meaningful to the brand – an endowment at the Navajo Nation in Montezuma Creek, Utah, which borders the Osprey headquarters. Several of Osprey’s original team members at the Cortez office are Navajo. To help launch the endowment, which was part of 88bikes’ Villages project, Osprey raised $2500 through sales of its cycling-specific Raptor hydration packs at 2010 Interbike Dirt Demo. In 2011 Osprey team members were honored to travel to Montezuma Creek to give hands-on help to the Navajo Nation project by building bikes and supporting the “Moment of Happiness” ride when recipients received their new bikes.

“Over the years, Osprey has been a devoted supporter of 88bikes and we remain deeply grateful,” said Dan Austin, founder of 88bikes. “In 2013 we endowed nearly 1000 bikes to heroic girls throughout the world, launched our Seamless Possibilities dressmaking curriculum in Cambodia and sent volunteers back to several sites in SE Asia to endow bikes and lead bike rides. Osprey’s support has allowed us to expand our programs dramatically, to follow-up robustly with partners, to curate new programs, and, most importantly, to generate a ton of joy throughout the world.”

About Osprey Packs

Independent, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014, and still anchored by the design genius of company founder and owner, Mike Pfotenhauer, Osprey Packs has long set the standard for creating innovative, high quality gear carrying equipment. The collection includes packs and bags designed to help adventurers enjoy their outdoor, biking and travel pursuits.

The location of company headquarters in Cortez, Colorado, near the rugged San Juan Mountains on the edge of desert canyon country, provides a constant inspiration and a superb testing ground for Osprey products. Osprey also maintains a product development office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, near the factories where they manufacture their products, ensuring face-to-face relationships and transparency with their suppliers. In 2009, Osprey opened a design office in Mill Valley, California, a hub of design talent and the birthplace of mountain biking. All three of these offices play a crucial role in creating Osprey gear that lasts a lifetime.

To celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2009, Osprey launched the All Mighty Guarantee, an enhancement of a lifetime warranty that was already one of the most robust in the industry. Free of charge, the company will repair any damage or defect in its product – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. Every Osprey product reflects the company’s commitment to protect the wild places its customers love to explore. For more information, visit www.ospreypacks.com.

About 88bikes

The 88bikes Foundation endows bicycles to girls throughout the world, especially the heroic survivors of human trafficking. The highlight of each endowment is the Moment of Happy, when every girl at the ashram or shelter receives her new bike. We partner with vetted, locally-run NGOs, purchase bicycles from local vendors, hire local labor and connect each survivor one-to-one with her donor. Our volunteers return to lead bike rides, organize repair clinics, even paint murals! Since 2007 we’ve endowed nearly 3000 bikes to heroic kids in fourteen countries–and we’re just getting warmed up. To learn more and become a bike sponsor, go to www.88bikes.org.

By press release