Mr. David's Carpet of West Chicago recently presented a check for $22,123 to the pediatric unit of the Central Dupage Health Foundation following the 1st Annual Mr. David’s Bike Challenge, a benefit where employees of a number of flooring companies in the Chicago area got together for fun and fitness.



The top three participants of the 1st Annual Mr. David’s Bike Challenge (from left) are: Mike Welch (second place winner); Tom Johnson (third place); and Jeff Karsen (first place), Carpet Cushions & Supplies.

On January 25, Mr. David’s Carpet of West Chicago presented a check for $22,123 to the Central Dupage Health Foundation. The pediatric unit at the hospital benefited when employees of a number of flooring companies in the Chicago area got together for fun and fitness in the 1st Annual Mr. David’s Bike Challenge. As most good plans do, the idea for this event came out of a casual conversation between Steve Cameron, Midwest Regional Sales Manager of the MAPEI Corporation, and Dave Zmijewski, the owner of Mr. David’s Flooring International, Ltd. of Itasca, IL. To determine the “best cyclist,” they decided to offer a challenge to local friends in the industry and give the money raised from the event to Central Dupage Hospital.

The 1st Annual Mr. David’s Bike Challenge was held on October 3 at the Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve. The decision to go with a 50K distance for the first annual race made the competition fun for everyone. A total of 26 riders signed up for the Challenge, and all but two finished. Steve did beat Dave by just a few minutes; but it was Jeff Karsen, the owner of Carpet Cushions and Supplies – headquartered in Elk Grove Village, IL – who won first place, finishing the course in 1 hour and 31 minutes.

“We all focused on our goal of raising money for Central Dupage Health Foundation, but our primary objective was to make sure everyone had fun,” said Dave’s brother, Mike Zmijewski. The planning committee drew on community members from all around West Chicago to make the event a success. Carpet Cushions and Supplies donated the food and refreshments for the cyclists before and after the race. Employees from EJ Welch, Tarkett, Carpet Cushions and Supplies, JJ-Invision, LAN Office Furnishings, MAPEI Corporation, Mr. David’s Flooring and several other flooring companies in the vicinity contributed their time and efforts to the 1st annual bike challenge. “And they all say they’ll be back again next year!” said Dave Zmijewski.