When Hurricane Milton tore through Central Florida, it left miles of MTB trails in ruins. Trees were downed, trail features were washed out, and wooden structures were either severely damaged or completely destroyed. Faced with this challenge, SORBA Orlando sprang into action, launching this fundraising campaign and rallied the MTB community to rebuild.
The response was nothing short of amazing. Within days, SORBA Orlando Trail Bosses had assessed the damage and organized trail workdays. Volunteers—both members and community supporters—came out in force to clear tons of debris, repair erosion, and rebuild wooden features. Some trails were reopened within days; others took weeks, due to our land managers' safety concerns from flooding and wind damage.
Of course, organizing these workdays took more than just time and effort. The right tools, materials, and a way to keep exhausted volunteers fed after hours of hard labor were essential. That’s where the fundraising campaign came in. Thanks to generous contributions, we raised $1,655, which was budgeted carefully and put directly toward the restoration efforts.
While we didn’t quite hit our fundraising goal, smart planning and a little creativity allowed Trail Bosses to stretch every dollar.
There’s still work to do. We’re continuing to coordinate with land managers to complete final repairs requiring their approval. But the progress we’ve made so far is a testament to the power of community.
To everyone who donated, volunteered, or cheered us on: thank you. You helped us rebuild not just trails, but a sense of connection and pride in what we can accomplish together.
The trails are riding great now! Grab your bike, hit the dirt, and enjoy the fruits of our collective labor. See you out there!
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