Benefit Bike Ride a Success
The Hoosic River Watershed Association announced today that the 4th Hoosic River Ride, a benefit bicycling event, netted at least $5700 for the organization’s programs in education, research and advocacy. “This is a tremendous boost to our budget in a challenging fundraising environment,” said HooRWA’s President John Case.At final count, the ride boasted its highest number of attendees, (riders, their families and friends), just over 150 participants. While the majority came from within a 50-mile radius, there were small groups from Montreal, Philadelphia and New York City. Steve Brown, one of the participants who made the trek from Pennsylvania, offered this comment about the ride, “ …it was pretty, challenging and just plain old fun. The whole event was very well-organized, and the people at the rest stops could not have been nicer and more helpful.” The people at the rest stops were also well-qualified with EMT volunteers from around the region (Bennington, Pownal, Petersburg, Hoosick Falls and Cambridge).
Local businesses provided critical support to the event through financial and in-kind contributions. Wild Oats Market, The Store at Five Corners, Williams College Dining Services, Mezze, Helen’s Place, The Chef’s Hat, and Power’s Market all contributed food to the post ride picnic. A number of the region’s museums—The Clark, MassMoCA, Bennington Museum, Bennington Center for the Arts, and the Park-McCullough House—donated hospitality items to the ride bag. Area businesses sponsored the event, including: Adams Cooperative Bank, Berkshire Gas, Bennington Subaru, C.H. McNally & Son, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Grinnell, Dubendorf and Smith, LLP, Heliocentrix, Hoosick Federal Credit Union, Jack Miller Contractors, Living Well Chiropractic, Merchants Bank, Overland Summers, r.k. Miles, Stewart’s Shops, Tillou Engineering, LLC, Trustco Bank and Williamstown Physical Therapy. “Without the support of the region’s businesses this ride would not happen,” explains ride organizer Lisa Carey-Moore. “We are very grateful to everyone who donated in these challenging financial times, especially since we understand that there are many worthwhile causes to support.”
The Hoosic River Ride intends to celebrate its fifth year back in Bennington next August. Those interested in helping to plan the 2009 event should contact Lisa Carey Moore at 413-458-2241. For details on other HooRWA events and activities people can visit www.hoorwa.org.
