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Dave Karsten, owner of two North Valley Ace Hardware stores, will be riding his bicycle in a charity fundraiser this month for Children’s Miracle Network.
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ACE Hardware owner rides cross country for children’s charity

NORTH VALLEY – There has to be a real good reason to climb on a bicycle and pedal 536 miles cross country.

Dave Karsten is about to join a group of more than 50 riders next week who will embark on a bike journey taking them from Chicago to Denver.

Not for the faint at heart.

Karsten, an ACE Hardware retailer with two locations in the North Valley, is participating in the 4th Annual Ace “Tour de Kids” charity bicycle ride.

The goal of the event is to raise $1 million for the Children’s Miracle Network.

“This is my third year (to ride),” Karsten said. “I’m riding with Bill Branson, who is another ACE retailer here. We have to raise $2,500 per rider to qualify for the ride. We don’t have much trouble raising enough. I’ve got my core donors I target every year, and then friends and family chip in. Even customers. We have little change receptacles at the registers where they can donate. It adds up pretty quickly.”

Last year the ride raised about $650,000 for the cause.

“I get a lot of satisfaction from knowing I had an impact on a very good cause,” Karsten said. “The function of the Children’s Miracle Network is to ensure all treatment regardless of their financial means. Our children can be the most vulnerable and sometimes need the most help. It’s not their fault if their parents have no money.”

Donations help support 17 million sick and injured children treated at 170 CMN‑affiliated hospitals, ACE Hardware information states. There is a CMN hospital serving every community in the United States and Canada.

Karsten’s and Branson’s leg of the tour will cover 536 miles from Lincoln, Neb. to Denver.

“It’ll take six days,” Karsten said. “We’re up and gone by 8 (a.m.). Three of those days will be 100 miles plus. I’m not looking forward to that part, especially if we’re riding into the wind.”

Karsten related he’s been an avid biker since the mid ’90s.

“We usually do a big ride on the weekends, about 60 miles or so,” Karsten said. “Then we do a series of smaller rides during the week.

“Jogging didn’t do it for me,” he added. “It’s a good way to exercise. You get up some speed and get to cover some miles. I get to see the countryside. I enjoy that.”

The best part about participating locally in the fundraising effort is that the money raised here stays here, Karsten said.

“ACE identified with a charity that would impact the community,” he said. “They are very community‑minded and community‑focused. (The ride) creates awareness. I’ll keep doing this as long as ACE sponsors it. And I have a good time biking. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

To donate to the Children’s Miracle Network visit acetourdekids.com or stop by either ACE location at 28220 N. Tatum Blvd. in N. Phoenix or 36889 N. Tom Darlington Rd. in Carefree.

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