10/30/2006
Contact: Jonathan Cleary
Director, The "I Love U Guys" Foundation
(303) 816-7175

More than 5,000 Motorcyclists Participate in Emily's Parade - The Inaugural Fund-Raising Event for the "I Love U Guys" Foundation

Bailey, Colo. (October 27, 2006) - The "I Love U Guys" Foundation, created in memory of Platte Canyon High School student Emily Keyes, announced today the results of their recent Columbine to Canyon Ride - Emily's Parade. The impromptu motorcycle event drew more than 5,000 riders and raised $64,475 from donations. These donations are being used for the special financial needs of the six surviving girls who were held hostage by an armed gunman at Platte Canyon High School on September 27, 2006.

The "I Love U Guys" Foundation was established by the family of Emily Keyes in response to the events at Platte Canyon High School, where Emily, a 16 year-old junior, was killed. In Emily's memory, The Foundation was created to carry forward her message of kindness to others. The first act of kindness was to care for the six girls who survived the hostage taking.

Within a week of Emily's Parade, the directors of The Foundation met privately with the six girls and their families to discuss a process for determining and supporting their immediate and future financial needs related to the events of September 27th.

"We envision the creation of a trust or trusts that can be managed independent of The Foundation, for the benefit of the girls, in a manner that can accommodate their respective, specific needs while continuing to respect their privacy," said Jonathan Cleary, Foundation director. The Foundation is working directly with Park County Victim Services in this regard.

The Ride also raised about $20,000 from the sale of event T-Shirts. These funds and other initial contributions will be used to launch and publicize The Foundation, its mission, activities and achievements.

"Through The 'I love You Guys Foundation,' Emily's generous heart and acts of kindness will live on," said John Michael Keyes. "Her mother and I are extremely grateful to those who have donated their time, talents and resources to make The Foundation a reality."

About the I Love You Guys Foundation
The mission of The Foundation is to restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions in collaboration with families, schools, communities, and government entities. In support of its mission The Foundation will focus on the positive, uplifting power of kindness, and people working together in the spirit of community, with emphasis on:

Early detection and assistance for people who have lost their human connection before they become marginalized, angry, and potentially violent and development of alternative measure to increase school safety without creating prison-like environments.

The Foundation is continuing fund raising efforts on behalf of the six surviving girls and The Foundation, itself.

For more information about The Foundation, its mission, areas of focus, and current fund raising efforts, please visit www.iloveuguys.org.