The fact that April 2 was a rainy day did not keep We Bike for Kids from having a record ride this year, raising $24,000 for local children’s charities. Checks were presented to Project Legacy, Sumter County Youth Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Lake and Sumter Counties on Friday at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Annex.
We Bike for Kids founding member and past president Wally Kurz and current president and vice president Tim and Dina Simpson presented checks to charities that support children’s organizations. Recently retired Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe, Villages District commander with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years and now a fully committed volunteer with We Bike for Kids also attended to show his support. Supporting the Sumter County Youth Center was one of his suggestions when the organization was checking into children’s charities to support.
“I knew We Bike for Kids was one of the organizations I was going to support as soon as I retired because they help kids locally,” Wolfe said.
Bruce Petlock accepted the check on behalf of Project Legacy. The money is designated to support Wildwood Elementary and Wildwood Middle High schools.
The Boys and Girls Club check was accepted by Ruthie Haffner, VP Resource Development. The money will be used to kick off a building fund for the Lady Lake Boys and Girls Club. The club is very successful and they are outgrowing their current location. Currently they have children on a waitlist and look forward to a time when they are in a larger facility and can accommodate all the children that want to participate.
Della Boushley, executive director of the Sumter County Youth Center accepted the check. The money will be used to continue ongoing programs.
This was the Simpson’s first ride as president of the organization. He and his wife Dina had supported the group as riders in the past. Dina serves as vice president.
“It was great. You certainly learn to wear multiple hats. We have a great group of people so even though the weather could have been better, everything else went off perfectly,” Dina Simpson said.
Tim was also satisfied. His goal was to increase the number of riders and donations. The number of riders held steady which is a good statistic considering that because of the weather they had no day of registrants. They secured a new presenting sponsor, Florida Cancer Specialists. And over all the donations and money raised is up 28 percent from last year.
Dina pointed out that using the Wildwood Center was successful. They had good response from riders and it allowed more space for vendors. Having professional riders, sponsored by United Health, participate was a big hit. Tim also noted that the in-kind donations allows the group to give almost all of the proceeds to the charities. Cathy’s Classy Catering, PDQ and Chick-Fil-A provided food for the event.
The next We Bike for Kids ride, which will be hosted by the Villages Bicycle Club, is scheduled for April 8, 2017.
