Retired pro Dan Schmatz retired from the sport in the most unexpected of ways last September when he hit an armadillo during stage 2 of the Tour of Missouri.

Schmatz tumbled to the ground, fracturing his collarbone and effectively ending not only his season but his career, which he’d planned to finish out at the end of the week in his hometown of St. Louis.

Now managing the THF Realty amateur racing team, Schmatz has offered up for auction an autographed Armadillo XING sign with the signatures of approximately 50 riders from the Tour of Missouri. All proceeds go to the St. Louis Bikes For Kids charity program, with the goal of helping get therapeutic bikes for kids in need.

The sign was given to Schmatz as a gift from his teammates and friends from other teams to help ease the pain of his run in with an armadillo early in stage 2.

Along with the sign, the winner of the raffle will receive a THF Realty Cycling Team jersey, made by Hincapie Sports.

To date, more than 2000 children have received new bikes from Variety partner agencies thanks to the support of the St. Louis business community and individuals. In addition to the new bike, each child receives a helmet and fitting, bike lock, T-shirt and safety instruction.

Variety’s “I CAN!” spirit is at the very heart of the Bikes for Kids program. Bikes symbolize freedom and represent the absence of limits for all children, with or without disabilities. Every child should have the experience of owning his or her bike, and this unique program makes it possible!

Raffle tickets can be purchased here for $1. It’s a chance to get a jersey and a one of a kind piece of Tour of Missouri memorabilia that can’t be found elsewhere, for just one dollar. Donate as much as you like to increase you chances of winning.