CHANGING THE WORLD One Bike at a Time
The Ride for Refuge (the RIDE) is a family-friendly bicycling fundraiser taking place in 28 locations across the US and Canada. Starting from humble beginnings in 2004, the RIDE is now celebrating 10 years of bringing much needed support and awareness to the charities that utilize the RIDE as a community-building fundraising event. In the 2012 RIDE season, over 5,000 participants across the U.S. and Canada collectively raised over $1,200,000 for more than 150 charities who make a positive impact on the world.
The Chicago/Elgin RIDE will be held at International Teams in Elgin, IL, where we will be putting our wheels in motion along the gorgeous Fox River Trail in Kane County. Not only is International Teams the host location, but we are also riding to raise funds for our 2020 vision of seeing lives and entire communities transformed in 50 locations around the world (www.iteams.us). Along with International Teams, seven other charitable organizations will be riding on more than 35 RIDE teams in Elgin to raise funds for their ministries to the displaced, vulnerable, and exploited. Another 100+ volunteers will work behind the scenes to make this day an enjoyable success for all. At just over 50 registered volunteers currently, we still need help. Register to volunteer at rideforrefuge.org/volunteer.
The Chicago/Elgin RIDE is ready for you - complete with a game center, DJ, well-stocked rest stations, followed by a great celebration lunch for all participants. Many generous sponsors such as Peapod, Big Apple Bagel, and Starbuck's are providing food and supplies for the event.
Please come join us – ride, walk, or even volunteer at this special event. Put a little sweat behind your passion for helping those in need. It's a great way to spend a meaningful Saturday morning as a family to help bring about real change in this world.
The Ride for Refuge begins with registration at 8 am, and participants will be released to the ride trail at 9. The anticipated 350 riders are able to tailor the RIDE to their cycling ability by choosing from (standard) 5, 15, 30, or 60-mile routes.
Visit www.rideforrefuge.org to learn more, or contact Sandy Labouvie, Chicago/Elgin RIDE Event Director, at 847-429-0900, x114. International Teams hopes to see you on October 5th to share in the “Love, Sweat + Gears.”
“When nearly 300 people ride their bikes for a cause other than themselves, a simple bike ride becomes something significant.”