I think this is different than the other one listed in this forum...if not, please merge.
The Times-Union (Albany, NY)
September 2, 2010 Thursday
CYCLISTS RACK UP MILES TO RAISE AWARENESS OF MISSING CHILDREN
Bicyclists will take to the road this month marking the third year of the fundraiser that aims to boost public awareness of missing and exploited children and the need for child safety education.
The Ride for Missing Children/Greater Capital District will take place on Friday, Sept. 24. Money raised will support the work of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's New York/Mohawk Valley chapter, based in Utica.
"We educate local school kids, raise awareness, support the families of the missing, and fund national poster distribution of missing kids," said Stacy Herron, chairwoman of the charity ride.
From September 1995 to this past April, the Mohawk Valley chapter has distributed more than 6.6 million posters of 5,958 missing children of which 4,266 have been listed as recovered, organizers said.
On the day of the ride, bicyclists are escorted by state troopers and law enforcement officers as they complete a 100-mile route.
Along the way, they stop at schools "to bring our message of child safety and abduction prevention," the charity's website said.
At the school rest stops, ride participants talk with students, answer questions and hand out pencils and stickers with safety rules. Herron said organizers plan to change the ride route next year to help spread the message of staying safe to different schools.
On the day of the ride, there will be an opening ceremony at 6 a.m. at the University at Albany and riders will pedal off at 7 a.m. They plan on stopping at schools in Voorheesville, Bethlehem, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, Coxsackie-Athens, and Greenville, and also visit children at the Bethlehem YMCA. They will return to Albany, ending at the Missing Persons Memorial on the lawn near the State Museum.
About 65 riders have signed up, Herron said. The first year, 2008, saw 51 riders and last year there were 61. Each rider raises $500 for use toward posters of missing persons, said Herron, a speech pathologist at Castleton Elementary School. Many businesses also support the ride, she said.
Because of the nearness of the event, and the requirement that riders participate in training sessions, only experienced riders who can keep pace can apply this late, Herron said. Volunteers are still being accepted.
Carol DeMare can be reached at 454-5431 or by e-mail at
cdemare@timesunion.com Fundraiser
What:
The Ride for Missing Children/Greater Capital District, 100-mile ride that stops at schoolsWhen: Friday, Sept. 24
Time: Opening ceremony, 6 a.m. at UAlbany campus. Ride begins at 7 a.m.
Information: Call Stacy Herron at 461-5881 or visit
http://www.rideformissingchildrengcd.org/ http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:1255428086&start=5
