Buffalo Rising Online

May 1st 2007, 12:19pm By buffalorising

Team captains and top fundraisers for the Ride for Roswell have announced plans for the 12th annual Ride, and to invite corporations, churches, community organizations and individuals to get involved this year as riders and volunteers.

Individuals of any age are encouraged to register, or to form teams of at least four members. Tips and tools are provided to make fundraising easy, including customizable Web pages, prewritten postcards, letters and support materials.

“We’re looking for a combination of 4,200 riders and volunteers, including 100 new teams, to help us raise over $1 million for Roswell Park,” said John Hannon, Ride co-chair, and a cancer survivor. “The team program is available to any group with at least four members, and offers a great way for businesses large and small, schools and community groups of all types to make an impact against cancer, while joining together for a common cause.”

The Ride for Roswell, presented by naming sponsor, Wegmans, will take place on Saturday, June 23, 2007 starting and ending at Baird Point, on the University at Buffalo’s North Campus in Amherst. Four routes are offered, including 9-, 20-, 33-and 62.5-mile distances, which will travel through Amherst, Clarence, the Tonawandas and Orleans County, based on ride selection. The Ride is one of Upstate New York’s premier cycling fundraisers and is Western New York’s largest one-day biking event. The event raises essential funds to help provide leading-edge and compassionate care for over 23,000 cancer patients served by Roswell Park annually. Ride donations also provide start-up funding for research showing the greatest potential to find cures and save lives.

According to Hannon and Ride organizers from the Roswell Park Alliance Community Advisory Board, the event also offers “virtual rider” options for people who want to help raise funds, but who cannot or choose not to ride that day, or who live out of town. Virtual riders will receive the same benefits as riders, including a Ride t-shirt, fundraising assistance, admission to the post-Ride picnic and party, and the opportunity to compete for top fundraising honors and prizes.

New for 2007 is the “Ride Biggest Loser Club” and contest. Both riders and virtual riders seeking to shed pounds to improve their health can register to receive weight loss, nutrition and fitness advice, and the chance to win top prizes in three weight loss categories. Weigh-ins occur upon registration and on the day of the Ride.

One returning amenity for top Ride fundraisers is the Extra Mile Club. Anyone who raises at least $1,000 by the day of the Ride will enjoy rider privileges including preferred parking on Ride day and admission to the Extra Mile Club tent (which offers bike check-ups and adjustments, exclusive fresh fruit and food selections, professional massages, a reserved port-o-potty and more). Extra Mile Club members also receive access to invitation-only events such as a fall reception to be held in Kaminski Park, on the grounds of Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Register today (save $5 online) or read how-to tips and stories to help you fundraise or to get a team started at www.RideforRoswell.org, or call 845.8788. In-person presentations and recruitment kits also are available for any group interested in 2007 team participation.

Sponsors joining Wegmans, the Ride's naming sponsor, to present this year's event include: (Breakaway Sponsors) Praxair, Mississippi Mudds, Rich Products and WGRZ-TV Channel 2; (10-Speed Executive Sponsors) The Edge 103.3 FM, New Era Cap Co., 97-Rock, Old Man River, WHTT 104.1 FM; (Five Speed Executive Sponsors) Coca-Cola and Deltacraft Paper; (Grand Tour Sponsors) Capital Management, Inc. and LPCiminelli, Inc.