To the DPM Crew,
A year ago a young man by the name of Gordon Riker was killed while riding his bike down Huntington Ave in Boston. This young man was a friend of mine—a fellow designer that I went to school with and had come to respect as one of the few I know who had the passion to create something for himself. Dying at age 22, I think I will miss most not being able to see what else he would do. Gordon would have turned 23 a few weeks later.
Adding to the shock, a month after what happened to Gordon, a young woman by the name of Kelly Wallace was killed while riding her bike at the intersection of Cambridge Street and Harvard Ave in the same city. In a strange twist, Gordon and Kelly had been friends and soon after his death had begged people to be careful when riding. With the phrase “wishful thinking” tattooed on her arms, Kelly has been described as someone who got along with everyone. I didn’t know Kelly, but I feel like I would have liked her if I had.
Two deaths like this in the same city within the same circle of friends prompted something to be done. Besides tribute concerts, fundraisers, and ghosts bikes to honor these two, Zack Smith decided to start up a non-profit organization titled H.E.L.L. (Helping Everyone Live Longer). While it raises awareness of bike safety, H.E.L.L.’s main goal is give out free helmets with the proceeds they receive.
As part of the update to Dance Party Massacre’s first season, we will be releasing a new design in collaboration with H.E.L.L. Not only will wearing their name around help spread word of their cause, but we will donate 10% of the profits directly to H.E.L.L. so they can give out free helmets and help save lives. If you wish to preorder this design at a discounted price of $24, we will ship the shirts first thing Monday, April 21st—a week before all the new designs are released. Just scroll to the bottom of this post.
This is what Dance Party Massacre is all about. It’s about our nightmares, our worst fears. It’s about making our dreams reality. It’s about living our lives and dancing while we still can. We can make it. We won’t be brought down.
Thanks everyone,
Alex
Related Websites and Articles *UPDATE* PREORDER DONE! Related posts:
Official H.E.L.L. Website
Cyclist, 22, killed in accident on Huntington Ave
Biker tribute rocks church in Allston
Gordon Riker Benefit Show Photos
Kelly Wallace, 1983-2007
Friends remember cyclist killed in Allston
Kelly Wallace Ghost Bike Memorial Photos
Recently (June 07) it has been announced that H.E.L.L. is going to be on hiatus for a bit of time. We discussed this with Zack and they have complete intentions to start it back up. DPM will continue to donate money to their cause, which will be held and saved until H.E.L.L. reopens.
