Official Sweepstakes Rules

See the Sweepstakes Fundraiser page for a plain-language overview, prize list, and FAQ. The text below is the full legal ruleset.

1. Eligibility
   • Open to all individuals 18 years of age or older residing in the United States, except the organizer and his immediate and extended family members, including cousins, in-laws, and their spouses, who are not eligible to win prizes.
   • No purchase necessary to enter or win. A donation does not increase the odds of winning. Void where prohibited by law.
2. Sweepstakes Dates
   • The sweepstakes begins on March 9, 2026 and ends on September 19, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
   • Entries received after the deadline will not be counted.
3. How to Enter

   There are two ways to enter. Each person may receive a maximum of 20 entries total, regardless of entry method or combination of methods.

   Method 1 — Donation Entry (No Purchase Necessary to Win)

   • Every $10 donation made to Frank Soltesz's official Closer to Free Ride fundraising page equals one (1) sweepstakes entry, up to a maximum of 20 entries per person.
   • Donations must be made through the official Closer to Free Ride fundraising page or an approved payment method.
   • Donations exceeding $200 will be gratefully accepted but will not result in additional entries beyond the 20-entry maximum.
   • A valid email address must be provided at the time of donation to be eligible. Donations made without a valid email address will be accepted as charitable contributions but will not qualify as sweepstakes entries.

   Method 2 — Free Mail-In Entry

   • To enter without donating, hand-print your full name, mailing address, email address, and phone number on a 3" x 5" card and mail it to: Frank Soltesz, 57 Hidden Valley Drive, Meriden, CT 06451.
   • Each mail-in entry must be submitted on a separate 3" x 5" card.
   • Maximum of 20 mail-in entries per person.
   • Mail-in entries must be received (not merely postmarked) by September 19, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
   • A valid email address must be included on each card to be eligible for winner notification.
   • Multiple cards received from the same person that exceed the 20-entry limit will have the excess entries disqualified; the first 20 received will remain valid.

   The 20-entry maximum applies across all entry methods combined. For example, a person who receives 15 entries through donations and 5 entries through mail-in submissions has reached the 20-entry limit.

4. Prizes
   • A total of 20 winners will be selected. Each winner will receive one (1) prize, allowing more people a chance to win.
   • Prizes consist of gift cards and gift baskets with a combined approximate total value of $1,275.00.
   • Individual prize values range from $20.00 to $100.00 (Approximate Retail Value).
   • All gift card prizes have no expiration dates and are not restricted by location beyond the normal terms of the issuing retailer.
   • A complete list of available prizes appears on the Sweepstakes Fundraiser page and is available separately upon request.
   • Prizes are not redeemable for cash and cannot be exchanged, transferred, or substituted, except at the sole discretion of the organizer.
5. Element of Chance
   • Winners are selected purely by random drawing. No skill or purchase is involved in the selection process.
   • The size of a donation does not affect the odds of winning beyond the number of eligible entries it generates.
   • Each eligible entry has an equal chance of being selected in the random drawing.
6. Odds of Winning
   • The odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received by the close of the sweepstakes on September 19, 2026.
   • As entries are received on an ongoing basis, the exact odds cannot be determined until the sweepstakes closes.
   • For reference, estimated odds based on possible entry totals are as follows:

   Estimated Total Entries	Number of Prizes	Estimated Odds of Winning
   300	20	1 in 15
   500	20	1 in 25
   750	20	1 in 38
   1,000	20	1 in 50

   Actual odds will be determined after the sweepstakes closes and all eligible entries have been verified.

7. Gift Basket Prizes — Local Pickup Only
   • Gift basket prizes are available for local pickup only and will not be shipped or mailed.
   • Whether a winner qualifies as local for gift basket pickup is determined at the organizer's discretion.
   • If a gift basket prize is awarded to a winner who is not local, the organizer reserves the right to substitute the gift basket with a prize of equal or comparable value that can be mailed.
   • Local winners of gift basket prizes must arrange pickup within 14 days of winner notification. If pickup is not arranged within that time, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected.
   • Pickup location and arrangements will be communicated directly to the winner by the organizer.
8. Winner Selection
   • Winners will be selected by random drawing on or before Tuesday, September 26, 2026.
   • Winners will be drawn one at a time, with each winner receiving a single prize until all prizes are awarded.
   • Winners will be notified via email at the address provided at the time of entry. If a winner cannot be reached due to an invalid or unresponsive email address, that entry will be disqualified and an alternate winner will be selected.
   • If a winner does not respond within 7 days of notification, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected.
   • The organizer's decisions regarding winner selection are final and binding.
9. Prize Delivery
   • Gift card prizes will be sent by mail by the organizer within a reasonable time following winner confirmation.
   • All shipping costs for mailed prizes will be covered by the organizer.
   • Mailed prizes will only be shipped to valid U.S. addresses.
   • Gift basket prizes are subject to the local pickup terms outlined in Section 7 above.
10. Winner Announcement
    • Winners' names will be announced in the organizer's newsletter.
    • Winners who wish to remain anonymous must notify the organizer in writing at cyclingwithcancer1@gmail.com at the time they respond to their winner notification.
11. Fundraising Purpose
    • 100% of donations benefit the Closer to Free Ride, supporting life-saving cancer care and research at Smilow Cancer Research Center and Yale New Haven Hospital.
    • This sweepstakes is organized by Frank Soltesz as an individual fundraiser and is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by the Closer to Free Ride, Smilow Cancer Research Center, Yale New Haven Hospital, or any associated organization.
12. General Conditions
    • By entering, participants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the organizer, which are final and binding in all matters.
    • The organizer reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify this sweepstakes if fraud, technical failures, or any other factor beyond the organizer's reasonable control impairs the integrity of the sweepstakes.
    • Any attempt to deliberately damage or undermine the legitimate operation of this sweepstakes is a violation of these rules and applicable laws.
    • Participants are responsible for any federal, state, or local taxes on prizes received. Winners may be required to complete and submit tax documentation if required by law.
13. Governing Law
    • This sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal laws and the laws of the State of Connecticut and is intended for participation within the United States only.
14. Contact Information

    For questions regarding this sweepstakes, contact:

    Frank Soltesz
    cyclingwithcancer1@gmail.com
    57 Hidden Valley Drive, Meriden, CT 06451
    Cell: (475) 226-7323