Biking Benefit Cycles Through Pittsfield
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This was the second time David Butler, founder and chief executive officer of the Safe Haven Project, has cycled through the city. Last year, he embarked alone on his "Capital to Capital Bike" tour and was thrilled with his reception here.
"The incredibly receptive reaction from supporters along the journey is really what made me want to do the event again," said Butler in a phone interview on Thursday. "It gave everyone in the organization the energy that got us through last year."
He said he was particularly pleased with the reception he received from Mayor James M. Ruberto last year. The mayor was out of town Friday and unable to greet Butler and his fellow bikers but several city councilors were expected to be on hand.
Safe Haven is based in Northampton and provides youth learning opportunities focused on prevention, awareness and community outreach. Safe Haven hosts camps for children living with AIDS on Martha's Vineyard, and in Maryland and North Carolina, at no cost to families and helps educate about AIDS/HIV in Africa.
Butler, an Air Force veteran and physical education and health teacher, founded the project in 1993 and now operates it full time. He settled on a bike tour from Albany, N.Y., to Boston last year as a way to inspire and motivate people to pay attention to the AIDS epidemic.
Based on 2007 research from the World Health Organization, there are an estimated 33.2 million people living with HIV, 2.5 million people newly infected and more than 2.1 million people have died of AIDS.
Last year's bike tour raised $3,200; this year, it has already received $3,000 with the expectation of raising $10,000.
"The success of the event is not measured by financial support alone" said Butler "The connections Safe Haven has forged with cities, businesses and most importantly people in support of this cause is what has truly given us the momentum we needed as a vehicle to bring people together and educate them on the issue of HIV and AIDS.
"Any donations we receive during these hard financial times are greatly appreciated," he continued, "but individuals can support us in many ways like become a volunteer for our events or camps."
Butler predicted that with the support and momentum gained from this year's bike tour that it would once again expand in size from the 10 to 15 cyclists to 20 to 30 joining the trek next year.
The cyclists started off Friday morning and expect to be in Boston on Sunday. In addition to Pittsfield, the cyclists will stop in Greenfield, Northampton, Southampton, Belchertown and Worcester.
Since its inception 14 years ago, Safe Haven has raised $1.5 million for its cause.
Sponsors of Safe Haven this year are CVS, Harley-Davidson and Holiday Inn Express.
