SUPPORT RAGBRAI® THURSDAYS IN OTTUMWA
June 15, 2009
For Immediate Release
SUPPORT
RAGBRAI® THURSDAYS IN OTTUMWA 
OTTUMWA-Wearing an Ottumwa
"'Rollin 'Round O'Town RAGBRAI® t-shirt has benefits, according
to Ottumwa RAGBRAI® co-chair Janet Paulson. With RAGBRAI® XXXVII less
than eight weeks away, Ottumwans can "show their support for the July
23 event every Thursday," she said.
RAGBRAI®
Thursdays is a way to support Ottumwa. Proceeds from the t-shirts
help host the event. "With over 20,000 visitors coming to Ottumwa,
there are necessary costs, including portable toilets and showers, trash
collection, and traffic control, just to name a few," said Paulson.
"The shirts are one way for the committee to generate revenue"
Events on July 23 such as the beverage garden are also designed to offset
costs. "All proceeds will go back to the community to support the
efforts of non-profit organizations," she said.
Wearing a RAGBRAI® t-shirt
on Thursdays is a charitable event at two local businesses. South Ottumwa
Savings Bank and Ottumwa Psychiatric Clinic, P.C. offer employees the
chance to pay to wear jeans with the t-shirts. In exchange, the funds
will be donated to support local causes selected by the employees.
Pam Kaupins, Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing at South
Ottumwa Savings Bank, says, "RAGBRAI® Thursdays are an opportunity
to generate excitement and encourage community and business camaraderie"
And residents wearing the shirts
could be featured each Friday in the Courier. Their "Gotcha" campaign
highlights residents caught wearing their shirts on RAGBRAI® Thursdays.
The shirt also has added value
on July 23. Residents wearing the local RAGBRAI® shirt will be allowed
to enter the beverage garden for free and can get a reduced admission
of $6 to The Beach Ottumwa. Area residents are advised to watch local
business promotions during the next eight weeks. RAGBRAI® shirts can
purchased for $10 ($12 for XXL and XXXL) at Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Drugstore,
O'Hara True Value Hardware, and O'Town Books.
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