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Endurance Riders come first! HHH riders are the primary beneficiaries of the HHH. The HHH committee and 4,000 community volunteers go all out to provide the best ride possible. Nonetheless, during the last 28 years, the HHH has supported many civic projects and organizations. The HHH steering committee has invested its resources in landmark projects that promote environmental quality, collegiate cycling, our heritage, and appreciation of the great outdoors. Team Arrow, the collegiate bicycle racing team from Midwestern State University, is a primary recipient of HHH community investment. MSU Team Arrow was voted "The Collegiate Bicycle Racing Team of the Nation" in 2004. MSU is one of only 2 universities in the USA that provides cycling scholarships. HHH has made it possible for MSU to compete and win against the largest universities in the nation. From scholarships, training, uniforms, competition expenses and the cycling coach, HHH has been a catalyst for success. Streams and Valleys is a local park and trails organization. The HHH has assisted Streams and Valleys with funding for trails, Natural Adventures, Adventure Racing and land purchase. The Subaru Trail Doctors, representing Texas Parks and Wildlife, referred to the Wee-Chi-Tah Trail as the best urban off-road trail in the State of Texas. HHH has provided land, equipment, and volunteers in support of Streams and Valleys parks and green space projects. River Bend Nature Center is a local nature and environment conservatory. The organization has received support for land purchase, volunteers and equipment. The organization provides educational programs for school age children. In addition, the organization performs environmental study and river eco-system analysis. River Bend is now in a construction project to build a $5,000,000 Environmental Center. HHH provided the land for that unique project. The "Falls" on the Wichita River were rebuilt to reclaim the namesake of the City. The original falls were destroyed in a flood during the late 1800's. HHH was the largest community contributor to this project. The "Falls" are now a focal point of tourism for our community. The Wee-Chi-Tah Sculpture commemorates the Native American cultures that first inhabited our area. This larger than life sculpture of Comanche Indians features two braves on horse-back, a Native American woman, a child, a mare and colt. HHH was the largest community contributor to this important social art and historic project. The sculpture was on the cover of the 2005 SBC telephone directory. American Red Cross - HHH donates materials to build a mobile food service trailer for disasters and matching funds to help purchase transport vans for handicapped persons. Children's Miracle Network--The HHH made a huge contributions in 2007, 2008 and 2009 through the Children's Miracle Network Duck Derby. It donated an entry in the derby in the name of each of its volunteers both to help CMN and in an effort to reward its volunteers. The Texas Bicycle Coalition protects the rights of cyclists in Texas and elsewhere. The HHH believes in their mission and supports TBC activities. Boy Scout Troops and 4-H of Wichita County - donations for various projects. Greater Wichita Falls Soccer Association - funds for field lights and to aid in purchase of bleachers. Sheppard Air Force Base - 50th Anniversary - HHH supports the Navy Ball each year. Traffic Safety Commission Wichita County Sheriffs Department Reserve Deputies - purchase of radios, bulletproof vests and hostage shields. Wichita Amateur Radio Society - repeater equipment and repair for storm warning systems that work with the National Weather Service Wichita Falls Police Department Crime Stoppers - Computer that helps these crime fighters track their projects and catch criminals Wichita Falls Parks and Recreation - $36,000 for the Falls and trails from the Falls to Lucy Park. $30,000 was contributed as a matching fund for trail construction from Weeks Park to Southwest Parkway. The HHH has been the largest contributor to mulit-use trail projects in Wichita Falls (bicycle/pedestrian trail). YMCA - donations. Clay County Amateur Radio Club - Repeater equipment and many other smaller projects in the North Texas area have benefited. The equipment is used for storm warning systems that work with the National Weather Service. In addition, the HHH Steering Committee commissioned sculptor Jack Stevens of Iowa Park, Texas, to create a sculpture of two larger-than-life-size bicycle riders. The sculpture has been donated to Midwestern State University and is permanently sited on campus. The sculpture is the center piece for the Midwestern bicycle racing team ring of honor that commemorates racers who have won national championships. In 1996, the Bike Club purchased two buildings on Scott St. adjacent to the MPEC. The buildings have been the subject of major beautification efforts in an area sorely in need of upgrading. The buildings will be used for storage and for community/committee meetings. The Steering Committee donates many HHH items to community organizations for use at out of town events, for charity auctions, raffles and other fund raisers. They also assist with event numbers, wrist bands and T-shirts when available.
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