Team TIBCO helps SVB raise over $110,000 for Best Buddies.

October 02, 2009

Los Altos, CA – Last month, riders from Team TIBCO joined over 60 employees of team sponsor Silicon Valley Bank for the Best Buddies Challenge, helping them raise more than $110,000 for the organization started by the Shriver family 20 years ago.

“The Best Buddies Challenge is a very important event for SVB and the team,” said Team TIBCO founder Linda Jackson, who also participated in the weekend festivities, which included a 100-mile ride from Carmel to San Simeon along the stunning California coast. “We were honored to participate again this year and help SVB and this incredible event.”

Best Buddies is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Since its founding, the organization has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,400 middle school, high school and college campuses across the country and internationally.

Team TIBCO’s Brooke Miller, Emma Rickards and Alison Starnes all rode the 100-mile course along the coast. All three also participated in the Friendship Race, in which they were all paired up with best buddies for a race on tandem bikes. In her final career “race,” Rickards took silver with her buddy.

“My buddy was Nathan,” said Starnes, “and we were ready to rock. It was awesome to participate in this event, and make Nathan laugh, smile and have a blast. It was my first time on a tandem bike, and it was challenging, but we were along for the ride. I like being a Best Buddy.”

The team and SVB are already looking ahead to the 2010 edition of the Best Buddies Challenge, at which SVB will try to run its top-fundraising team winning streak to three years. And Team TIBCO has already signed on to participate.

“BBC is such an amazing event,” Jackson said. “It’s raises money for a fantastic cause, and the event itself is first-class all the way. It’s a great way to show our thanks to SVB for their support of the team, and to help with SVB’s support of Best Buddies.”