Families invited to participate in bicycling fundraiser
Submitted by International Teams
With a slogan like “Love, Sweat + Gears,” the Ride for Refuge’s mission is pretty clear. It’s a small solution for a big problem — what if thousands of people across North America jumped on their bikes and cycled to raise money to support the displaced, vulnerable and exploited in the world.
The Ride for Refuge is a family-friendly bicycling fundraiser taking place in 26 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Starting from humble beginnings in 2004, the RIDE is now celebrating nine years of bringing much needed support and awareness to the charities that utilize the RIDE as a community-building fundraising event.
The Chicago/Elgin RIDE will be held Saturday, Sept. 29, at International Teams in Elgin along the Fox River Trail in Kane County. Not only is International Teams the host location, but they also are riding to raise funds for the 2020 vision of seeing lives and entire communities transformed in 50 locations around the world (www.iteams.us). Whether to support its ministry to the homeless in Elgin, or to help rehabilitate former child soldiers of the LRA in Uganda, International Teams USA is partnering with the RIDE for the fourth year to raise funds that will allow them to support the global ministries to those in need.
Join them — ride, walk, or even volunteer at this special event. It’s a great way to spend a meaningful Saturday morning as a family and help bring about real change in this world. Along with International Teams, eight other charitable organizations will be riding to raise funds for their ministries to the displaced, vulnerable, and exploited.
In the 2011 RIDE season, 5,116 participants across the U.S. and Canada collectively raised over $1,25 million for more than 175 charities who make a positive impact on the world. However, in 2012, National Event Director Brian Carney expects much more: “The RIDE has one goal — to help great charities increase their buzz and bottom line. And this year we are excited with the expectation that many new and existing partners will benefit significantly from the RIDE — our goal is $1.4 million and we think we’ll do it — we’d better, a lot of people are counting on it!”
The ride in Elgin is ready for you! Included are well-stocked rest stations, followed by a celebration lunch for all participants. Many generous sponsors, like Peapod, Starbuck’s, and Alexander’s Restaurant in Elgin, are providing food and supplies for the event.
The Ride for Refuge begins with registration at 8 a.m., and participants will be released to the ride trail at 9 a.m. The anticipated 400 riders are able to tailor the RIDE to their cycling ability by choosing from (standard) 5-, 15-, 30-, 45- or 60-mile routes.
Visit www.rideforrefuge.org to learn more, or contact Sandy Vavra, Chicago/Elgin RIDE Event Director, at (847) 429-0900, ext. 114. International Teams hopes to see you on Sept. 29 to share in the “Love, Sweat + Gears.”