Cyclist helped local family-aid agency when he was unknown. Now, employees are hanging on his every mile.
By Ryan Robinson
Published Jul 18, 2006 14:26
Then she carefully avoids media and family so she won’t know the race’s outcome when she watches the replay.
Phyllis Stacks was on vacation the week of July 4th but didn’t go anywhere.
“I wanted to watch the tour,” she said. “If the phone rings during the race, I get upset.”
Tammy Martin puts Floyd Landis’ mother, Arlene, on a speaker phone at the end of his bicycle races so her fellow employees can get a play-by-play account from her and the television in the background.
All three Floyd Landis fans work at Tabor Community Services, 308 E. King St.
They have good reason for going a little Floyd crazy as the Lancaster County native gets closer and closer to achieving cycling’s ultimate feat, winning the Tour de France.
Landis’ parents have supported Tabor for many years, and their now-famous son has participated in fundraisers for Tabor since 2002.
The 30-year-old’s athletic prowess on two wheels is international news, but most of Tabor’s 44 employees have also seen his softer, altruistic side.
“He is a very decent, nice, humble young man,” Stacks said.
Stacks said Landis’ two appearances in 2002 and 2005 together netted about $10,000 for Tabor, an organization which helps over 3,000 county families a year find housing and escape financial troubles.
Landis, a Conestoga Valley High School graduate, spoke at a Tabor-organized event at the district’s middle school and also at a $100-a-plate dinner.
Stacks said Tabor got some permanent donors from those talks, and counselors have also used Landis as an example in their work with local families.
“Working toward your dreams, having goals. He is so appropriate for Tabor,” she said.
Landis spent an entire day with Tabor for one of the events and a made special effort to learn the employees’ names.
He also has signed many pieces of memorabilia that the organization has and will continue to auction off for additional funds.
Stacks joked that she doesn’t think his autographed helmets will sell for just $25 anymore.
Nowhere is Tabor’s connection to the cycling star more evident than in its conference room.
Landis rides in front of yellow jersey-wearing Lance Armstrong in the Alps at the 2002 Tour de France in one framed poster.
A banner on the wall pictures “HOMETOWN HERO FLOYD LANDIS” with autographs by Landis and members of his Phonak cycling team.
Other autographed signs, helmets, magazines and cards are displayed. “GO FLOYD” in large letters is taped to the window.
“This has become our Floyd Landis room,” Stacks said.
She said Tabor is hoping to remain Landis’ local charity even now that he has hit the big time.
“We’re hoping he continues to remember us.”
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