‘Near and dear’: Annual Naperville Sunrise Rotary Ride gives back to area charities

The Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise is all about giving back. The group, one of four Rotaries in the city, was founded in 1991 and is 40 members strong.

“We are a good mix of both financial and hands-on service,” said Stephanie Colbert Randall, club secretary.

Giving back locally is especially important. That is why members will host the 29th annual Rotary Ride on Sunday, Aug. 9, beginning and ending at Trek Bicycles, 3416 S. Route 59, Naperville.

Early bird registration is $40 per person until July 31; $50 per person beginning Aug. 1 until the day of the ride. To register, visit napervillerotaryride.com.

“People can come the morning of the race, but they will need their phones because we do ask that they register with the link,” Colbert Randall said.

The recreational ride is open to all levels of cyclists, as well as families. Participants can choose from 21-, 41-, and 62-mile out-and-back routes that run through Oswego (21-mile route), Yorkville (41-mile route), and the Silver Springs State Park (62-mile route).

“It is a beautiful, scenic ride,” Colbert Randall said. “We get a lot of compliments about our rest stops, which are spaced out about every 10 miles, where volunteers hand out snacks and water.”

Riders may start at 6:30 a.m. and no later than 10 a.m. Cyclists who choose the 62-mile route must start by 8:30 a.m., while those who ride the 41-mile route must start by 9:15 a.m. All routes are SAG supported.

Proceeds from the Rotary Ride will benefit three local charities, which all focus on youth and family initiatives: Little Friends Respite Program, which offers breaks for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities; Grow Wellness In School Counseling, which offers therapy to students; and Naperville YMCA Preschool Scholarships for their daycare program.

“We love to support youth and organizations that incorporate youth leadership programs,” Colbert Randall said.

Colbert Randall said that thanks to Rotary Ride and the club’s other fundraisers, the St. Paddy’s Day 5K and Naper Lights, Sunrise Rotary donates more than $80,000 each year to various charities.

That was especially important to longtime Naperville Sunrise Rotary member and avid cyclist Carmen DiGiovine, who passed away in 2007.

“Carmen founded the ride,” Colbert Randall said. “He loved the idea of bringing people together to give back to the community. Giving local is near and dear because we know the people and organizations. We feel good knowing this is a community that wants to give back and reinvest in their own backyard.”

The Rotary Club of Naperville-Sunrise meets for breakfast from 7 to 8 a.m. each Friday of the month, except for the last Friday, at the Naperville Country Club, 25W570 Chicago Ave. For more information, visit napervillesunrise.com.