Rock The Ride for Gun Violence Prevention
Community members and many others will walk and ride together for gun violence prevention on August 20 at Rock The Ride North Shore.
Rock The Ride was established in 2018 in the aftermath of a mass shooting in Yountville, California, when Congressman Mike Thompson and Ride Napa Valley Event Producer Rebecca Kotch wanted to find a way to use their voices to say "enough" to gun violence. The annual ride is also a way to raise funds for organizations that are supporting those impacted by gun violence or dedicated to gun violence prevention. Rock The Ride North Shore will include a 25-mile ride, a 12-mile ride, and a 3-mile walk.
After six years in Napa, California, Rock The Ride is coming to the North Shore and will honor the victims and survivors of the Highland Park shooting. Congressman Brad Schneider, Rebecca Kotch and Highland Park resident Pam Faulkner are spearheading the effort to produce the event, which will benefit the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) and two national organizations, the Giffords Law Center and Moms Demand Action/Every Town for Gun Safety.
"We saw how very thoroughly and generously the HPCF stepped forward in the immediate aftermath of the event. We wanted to honor that and support their ongoing efforts to support survivors and victims' families through their grants to a number of nonprofits that are helping them," stated Pam when reflecting on why she chose the HPCF as the local nonprofit beneficiary.
Through the HPCF's Highland Park Shooting Recovery Fund, the Foundation continues to address the ongoing needs of victims for mental health and other services stemming from the event.
"We are honored to have been chosen as one of the three nonprofit beneficiaries of Rock The Ride North Shore," said Betsy Brint, HPCF Chairman. "While the other two recipients address the critical issues of gun violence nationally, we are a grassroots community foundation helping local organizations address mental health and other issues impacting community members as a result of the mass shooting in Highland Park last year. We are grateful for the combined efforts of the Pam and the entire Rock The Ride Team, the important work of Moms Demand Action/Everytown for Gun Safety and the Giffords Law Center, and the hundreds of participants."
Pam adds that, as the community passes the anniversary of the shooting, it is more important than ever to continue to have events such as Rock The Ride.
"I think it's important to continue to raise awareness, and to understand that gun violence prevention is a multi-faceted issue. We have to be aware of the ongoing impact it can have. It's crucial that we bring people together in non-divisive ways and allow people to get involved at places where they are comfortable. Rock The Ride is a family-friendly event where we can bring people together to address the prevention of gun violence," she stated.
Rock The Ride North Shore will take place on August 20, 2023. The event begins and ends in Hubbard Woods Park. Online registration closes at 3 p.m. on Aug. 18, with check-in and day-of registration available at Hubbard Woods Park on Aug. 20, starting at 7 a.m. Entrance is free for children and youth aged 17 and under. The 25-mile ride begins at 8:15 a.m., followed by the 15-mile ride at 8:45 a.m., and the 3-mile walk at 9:15 a.m. The event includes a Burritos and Bubbles Brunch in the Park for all registrants, and a brunch-only and virtual option are available.
For more information, visit Rock the Ride North Shore at http://bit.ly/3JKK3dW.