PRESS RELEASE
JANUARY 3, 2022
Billings, Montana
RASE Safety Assistance, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Billings, Montana, is pleased to announce that it is an authorized entity under Internal Revenue Service Code section 501(c)(3).
After promoting flat track races and sponsoring nearly 100 amateur and pro flat track athletes since 2003, the brand RASE has become something recognizable and respected in the sport of flat track nationally. Michael Marsh has been involved in the claims business, where injuries are seen every day, particularly in the world of workers' compensation...where the cause of injuries must be determined and efforts to minimize or eliminate future similar injuries take place through safety professionals. Michael served as the Chairman for a state-wide Montana safety charity, WorkSafeMT, which led directly to a change in the safety conversation and significantly reduced injury rates.
Mr. Marsh has learned from his own experience the importance of having high quality safety equipment when participating in the sport of flat track. He had a number of serious incidents in his amateur and professional flat track careers. In one incident, his wearing of a neck restraint limited his neck injuries to fractured vertebrae. With the level and location of impact on his head (which broke the helmet), the neck restraint no doubt saved him from a spinal chord injury...or worse.
In 2021, Michael was asked to participate on the board of Rookies of '79 charity. Rookies has been providing non-medical monetary support to injured flat track racers since 2009. The charity is run by Charlie Roberts and managed by an engaged (and famous each in their own right) board of directors. One of the things learned quickly was that there are so many injuries in the sport of flat track. With Michael's training and experience with safety, the question became: Is there something we can do to prevent or minimize injurious events in flat track. While many may 'poo poo' this question, because we all know that flat track is terribly dangerous, our experience tells us that, just like the success we had with WorkSafeMT, we CAN CHANGE THE DISCUSSION. We will raise awareness and reduce injuries in our beloved sport.
Michael has seen far too many of his sponsored athletes injured since 2003. If there is a way that RASE Safety Assistance can raise money and provide grants to athletes in need to obtain the best safety equipment, we will have achieved our mission.
It is important to point out that we do not want to "fish from the same pond" in our fundraising efforts. Every dollar that goes to the Rookies of '79 is important and needed to support injured riders and their families. However, we do need help. If you are so inclined, please consider us in your annual giving plans. And if you represent a company that does business in the motorcycle industry, we would love to discuss an ongoing partnership. 100% of the board of this charity are volunteers and take no salary...all of the donated proceeds go towards fulfilling our mission...to help as many amateur and professional athletes as possible obtain / maintain the highest level of safety equipment possible.
As an approved 501(c)(3), RASE Safety Assistance, Inc. is now authorized to accept tax deductible donations. Please send your check, money order or safety equipment donation to:
- Michael J. Marsh
- RASE Safety Assistance, Inc.
- 1304 16th ST West
- Billings, MT 59102
Thank you to everyone for assistance in the formation of Safety Assistance and helping us get the right safety equipment out to our beloved athletes.
The small print:
Charitable donations that are deemed tax deductible are specific to each individual circumstance and situation. Please consult your tax professional.