On Tuesday at NamesCon, I will participate in the presentation of the annual Lonnie Borck Memorial Award during the ICA’s panel session. During the past year, many domain investors have reached out to ask what they can do to honor Lonnie’s memory and/or help the family.
Lonnie’s 15 year old son Ezra is training for a 180 mile bike ride called Bike4Chai. Ezra is riding in memory of his Dad who wanted to do the ride with him. Bike4Chai raises funds for Camp Simcha, an overnight camp for children with serious illnesses. Ezra is hoping to raise $10,000 and I am sure it would be appreciated if Lonnie’s industry friends would support his ride.
On Ezra’s Chai4Life fundraising page, he shared why he decided to take up this challenge in honor of Lonnie:
This summer, I will bike 180 miles to benefit Camp Simcha, a remarkable overnight camp that provides seriously ill children with a vacation from sickness, restoring their spirits and renewing their determination to fight.
WHY WOULD A 15 YEAR OLD WANT TO DO BIKE4CHAI? With all the time, energy and effort that it takes? I’ll tell you. Shortly after Bike4Chai started, Chai Lifeline came to Baltimore to recruit riders. My father Lonnie Borck was one of them. He felt very strongly about supporting Camp Simcha, and after that meeting, he really wanted to ride. At one point he even bought equipment, including the trainer that I’m using now. He wasn’t able to commit to it, and didn’t have a chance to do it. He tragically died suddenly just over a year ago. I am dedicating my ride in my father’s memory, Chaim Leib Gidon ben Chuna Reuven z”l. I miss him so much, and it makes me proud to do something that he always wanted to do. I know he would be proud of me too.
