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Boreal Community Media

Joynes - Changing Lives with the Lutsen 99er

Jun 27, 2019 08:46AM ● By Editor

A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - June 27, 2019

Jim and Shanie Joynes, owners of Joynes Department Store in beautiful downtown Grand Marais, have a mission.  Not only do they share a love of mountain biking, but they want to give back and give youth the opportunity to participate in this weekend’s Lutsen 99er race.  They developed a partnership between Joynes, Darn Tough, and the Lutsen 99er.  Darn Tough helps out with the socks, Joynes sells socks for three days (this Friday thru Sunday) at the store and at a tent at the Lutsen 99er finish line.  100% of all sales are given to the Lutsen 99er to pay for 100 youth entries for the following year.  If they don't get to the goal of $5,000, Jim and Shanie chip in the rest to make up the difference. 

What they sold last year funded this year's entries and what they sell this year will fund the 2020 entries.  This is their third year of giving back.  They work with bike shops and bike groups to get kids involved.  They want as many Cook County youth to participate as possible.  Mayor Jay at Fireweed Bike has been their local contact.  They also work with groups in Thunder Bay, Two Harbors, Cloquet, Grand Rapids, and the Duluth Composite Team. 

You'll find Jim and Shanie at the starting line of the 99 mile distance again this year.  They believe that kids are faced with so many challenges and distractions.  Their hope is that if they can help one kid who is inactive fall in love with a sport, one kid with a chaotic family life find a release, or one kid whose addicted to social media, video games, or unhealthy substances find a healthier addiction, then it's all worth it.  

If you are interested in supporting this great program, please stop by Joyne’s Ben Franklin Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and purchase some Darn Tough socks.  You can also stop by the Lutsen tent.  Store hours at Joyne’s are Friday and Saturday 9:00-6:00 and Sunday from 10:00-4:00.

To learn more about the Lutsen 99er, visit their website:  https://www.lutsen99er.com/

Thanks for all that you do, Joynes.  You are changing lives!

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