Capital Region Veterans Form Fundraising Army for STRIDE Adaptive Sports
(West Sand Lake, NY, 08/05/2021) – On Saturday, August 21st, a group of veteran motorcyclists who ride for charity will gather at the Chatham High School parking lot. At 11:30 a.m., kickstands will go up as the American Infidels VMC and other local riders take to the road to raise money for athletes with disabilities at STRIDE Adaptive Sports. The riders will travel to S&S Farm Brewery in Nassau and stay for food, drinks, live music and a charity raffle. The general public is welcome and invited to join the festivities at S&S, known as the STRIDE Brewfest, which will begin at 1:00 p.m. Attendance is free and requires no registration. To participate in the ride, pre-registration is needed with tickets at $20.00 per rider and $10.00 per passenger. Information is available at https://www.stride.org/r4s.
According to STRIDE CEO, Mary Ellen Whitney, the idea for the motorcycle ride came from a local veteran who participates in STRIDE’s Wounded Warrior Program. “One of our veteran athletes, Steven Onley is a regional chapter organizer with the American Infidels organization. Knowing that fundraising efforts have become difficult after the Covid-19 pandemic, he wanted to do something extra and pitched us on the idea,” explained Whitney. “STRIDE has had success with similar rides organized by UPS employees, so we thought it would be a great add-on to support our annual Brewfest fall fundraiser. The veteran riders will spend the weekend at STRIDE’s summer camp in Chatham as a prelude to our annual Veteran Bootcamp weekend. It should really be a fun time.”
“The party at S&S is not just for veterans – it is for everyone” explained Patrick Hayslett, STRIDE’s Development Director. “S&S Farm Brewery has hosted our Brewfest as a family-friendly event in the past and is donating 10% of beer sales,” said Hayslett. “All are welcome for food truck lunch, live music by Two Lazy Boys, a raffle and small silent auction, and perhaps an ice cream vendor. Attendance is free to our supporters and the general public. We hope to see a large crowd and great weather to welcome the riders!”
Sponsors of this year’s event are: AllSquare Wealth Management, Girvin & Ferlazzo PC, County Waste and Recycling, and Stars for Our Troops. A detailed list of STRIDE sponsors can be viewed at https://www.stride.org/about/sponsors/
Questions about STRIDE Programs can be directed to Megan Evans, Program Director, at 518-598-1279, [email protected]. Information on sponsorship opportunities can be obtained from Patrick Hayslett, Development Director, at 518-598-1279, [email protected].
###
ABOUT STRIDE ADAPTIVE SPORTS
Celebrating 35 years, STRIDE Adaptive Sports is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides over 11,000 adaptive sport and recreation lessons each year to individuals with disabilities, focusing on youth and Wounded Warriors. With a focus on individual life-time sports, STRIDE programs use specialized equipment or teaching aids for successful participation to “level the playing field” for all. STRIDE is a partner member of MoveUnited Sports (formerly Disabled Sports USA) and Professional Ski Instructors of America; a US Paralympic Sport Club; a training club for Special Olympics; and an official Red Cross provider. STRIDE is recognized as one of the leading adaptive sport programs in the Northeastern United States.
Website | Facebook | YouTube | Photo Gallery | Instagram