MEDIA ALERTCONTACT: Carmella Livorsi Petitt415.931.6144Carmella.Livorsi@specialized.comJoin Specialized in their Support of the Marine Corps this Holiday SeasonNovember 21, 2006– Morgan Hill, CA Specialized invites all cyclists and those in the bicycle industry to join them in supporting Captain Andrew Christian this holiday season through Specialized’s Adopt a Marine Project. Christian, an officer in the Marine Special Operations Command ,United States Marine Corps, competes in endurance races in order to contribute to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund in honor of his fallen and injured teammates who were attacked by insurgent forces in February.Specialized employees have launched the Adopt a Marine Project as part of their Specialized Holiday Fund Program and will sponsor Capt. Christian in order to help further his generous efforts and contributions. It was also announced that 3X World Ironman Champion Peter Reid will mentor Christian for the upcoming April Ironman race. But more help is always needed as the impact of tragedies like these is so widespread.Capt. Christian’s advisor team suffered injury and death when it was overcome by an IED ambush on the road leading to an Iraqi Training Center on February 20, 2006. During the attack Staff Sgt. Jay Collado was killed in action, StaffSgt. Chris Claude was severely wounded and lost his right leg and 1st Lt. Justin Waldeck suffered a major hand injury. StaffSgt. Collado is survived by his wife Judy and six-year-old daughter Kaiya. Through his participation in races such as the Arizona Ironman, which will take place on April 15, 2007, Christian has raised over $35,000 for both the Semper FI fund and Kaiya’s scholarship fund. The injured Marine Semper FI Fund is a non-profit organization that provides financial support for Marines rehabilitating from catastrophic injuries and their families. Further details are available at: www.semperfifund.org. Capt. Christian has served three tours of duty in Iraq, is a veteran of the first Gulf War and just returned home safely last week for a year’s leave. Christian, his wife Sarah and 13-year-old son Tyler joined over 200 Specialized employees and international visiting staff for their annual Specialized Thanksgiving Lunch prior to a getaway weekend in San Francisco.“To be able to give the Captain and his family a hero’s welcome was inspiring and impactful—it made us all stop and reflect on giving thanks for our freedom this holiday season,” said Mike Sinyard, Founder and President of Specialized.Specialized and Capt. Christian would greatly appreciate any support from the industry that can be lent to further facilitate this worthy cause.Donations can be made online or checks can be earmarked for Captain Christian’s efforts. Checks should be made out to the Semper FiFund, sent c/o Adopt a Marine, Specialized Bicycles, 15130 Concord Circle, Morgan Hill, CA 95037. For more information, e-mail Ariadne Delon Scott: adscott@specialized.com.
