About Us
Team Charity Case
Who We Are: The Beginning
Team Charity Case was founded by Kristie Wilder and Kevin Kon who had a passion for cycling and even greater passion for animals.
Kristie and Kevin had rescued several animals including 3 dogs and 4 cats. They found loving homes for many others. Kristie had a cat named Jem who is the inspiration behind the Team Logo. Jem was adopted from the Arizona Humane Societies 2nd Chance Hospital.
The Idea: A Cycling Team
Kristie decided to create a cycling team and call it Team Charity Case. Her goal was to raise 500 dollars for the Arizona Humane Society. Kristie had each team member seek out pledges from their friends and family who would essentially sponsor that particular rider. The first event Kristie ever entered as Team Charity Case was a 24 hr endurance event. The riders not only got pledges for being a rider for the Team but also, they would get money on a per lap basis. The goal was to complete as many laps as possible racking up the per lap donations.
Team Charity Case exceeded its initial goal of 500 dollars and raised instead roughly $2000 during their debut event. 100% of the proceeds went to the Arizona Humane Society.
A Lasting Impact
Team Charity Case was a success! Kristie was interviewed by Channel 15 during the Arizona Humane Societies Pet Telethon where she was honored along with Team Charity Case for their creative fund-raising efforts.
Weeks following the event, Kristie was at the Vet getting one of her own pets treated when the Doctor thanked her for helping so many animals. The Doctor saw the interview of Kristie during the Pet Telethon. The Doctor asked if Team Charity Case would be entering more events and raising more money to help animals. Kristie replied she didn’t know, it was overwhelming as she wanted to save all animals, help all pets. Kristie explained that it was painful to think of any animal not having hope. After all, she said, what would a world absent of Hope even look like? The Doctor told Kristie that she may not be able to change the world, but she can change the world for one animal.
From that day forward, Kristie and Team Charity Case charge on with the goal to change one animal’s life at a time. Team Charity Case actively engages in raising Money, raising Awareness, and most importantly offering Hope.
More than 20 years later supporting various organizations, Team Charity Case has evolved tremendously. Team Charity Case continues to have riders in cycling events wearing Team Jerseys with the goal of raising awareness one lap at a time.
What We Do: Team Charity Case
Team Charity Case is a nonprofit organization who provides funding and support to various animal rescues, community animal shelters, and are actively engaged in many other charitable services around Arizona.
The Team is making a name for itself with its “Raging Orange & Blue Paw Printed” team colors which are showcased on a variety of unique team vehicles. Some of the team vehicles you may see at events or driving around town range from their 8 x 20 Team Trailer to Campers the team uses for out-of-town or overnight events to even a Harely Davidson. These vehicles help bring attention and awareness to the charitable organizations Team Charity Case supports says Founder Kristine Wilder.
Working closely with fellow nonprofit organizations with a focus on animal welfare, Team Charity Case helps provide funding for low income spay & neuter services, adoption and foster programs and assists with veterinarian bills for low-income families in Arizona and abroad.
Team Charity Case doesn’t stop at helping animals, they are actively engaged in providing support to local food banks and homeless shelters around the state of Arizona. In 2023 they donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial support to various animal rescue and welfare organizations as well as donated over 2,000 pounds of food to local foodbanks and shipped out nearly 500 pairs of warm socks to the homeless facing bitter cold and inhospitable conditions in cold climate states.
There seems to be no shortage of individuals who are willing to dedicate their valuable time participating in cycling and running events for Team Charity Case. Sporting the raging orange colors in hope of drawing attention to the many organizations out there that are helping the animals, helping the homeless and supporting the foodbanks.
Look for a Team Charity Case rider or runner wearing their signature team orange at cycling and running events around the State of Arizona. Just know they are riding for charity and making a difference 1 cat, 1 dog, 1 foodbank 1 homeless shelter at a time.
