Why Ride Day is Better Than Christmas

The 2014 Rodman Ride for Kids had it best year ever. The Rodman team and its affiliate charities worked together to pull off a success that would rival Santa and his elves!

Ride Day. An early fall Saturday that has become a tradition for cyclists, volunteers, and non-profit staff. Some riders, like George Forte, are even rumored to say they love Ride Day more than Christmas!

Ride Day isn’t just another bike ride. It’s the culmination of a year-long fundraising effort. It’s a microcosm of our affiliate charity collaborative. And, this year, 24th Annual Ride for Kids, was the best yet.

An Early Start

The event management team arrived at Ride HQ around 4:00 am. The site was not quiet for long as volunteers began to arrive to set up breakfast, park cars, prepare for rider registration, and prep the start line. By 6:00 am, the music was pumping through the speakers and our century riders began to show up.

After the 100-mile riders left, a larger group of 50-milers arrived and hit the road. They were followed by an even bigger group of 25-milers. By the time the last rider peddled away, the quickest 100-milers were already beginning to cross the finish line, where the post-Ride BBQ awaited.

Everyone Lends a Hand …. And Celebrates the Success!

The 46 Ride Affiliate Charities work together on fundraising and programs throughout the year, but never is the collaboration as tangible as on Ride Day.

Each area of the Ride is managed by an Affiliate Charity.

The Key Program runs the start line and communications. Crossroads for Kids serves the BBQ lunch that Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters prepares. School on Wheels greets riders at the finish line. The Family Nurturing Center provides a welcoming hospitality team. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester host the water stop at Apponoquet High School. And the unsung heroes of the day, the road crew from The RFK Children’s Action Corps, spend two full days marking (and un-marking) the route and keeping riders safe on the road. All of the other Affiliate Charities have volunteer responsibilities too!

Every volunteer is connected to an Affiliate Charity, whether they are an employee, member of the board of directors or the parent of a client. Every rider is committed to raising funds to support the Ride or an Affiliate Charity.

When you bring together over 2,000 individuals who share a passion for helping kids, the outcome is remarkable. Add the thousands of sponsors and donors who support the cause throughout the year, you have a recipe to be the very best.

The Ride for Kids is the #1 single-day athletic fundraiser in the nation benefiting at-risk kids. So we agree, George. Ride Day is better than Christmas!

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