The Ride for Camp Smile-A-Mile is Underway
6/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
More than 40 riders left the parking lot of the Tuscaloosa IHOP this morning at 6 a.m. to make the one-day, 150-mile trek to Camp Smile-A-Mile located at Children's Harbor in Alexander City, Ala.
The "Ride of Love" raises money for Camp SAM, an organization that provides children with cancer the opportunity to participate in the summer camp experience. The Ride will wind through 6 counties - Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Elmore - over all the hills and valley's in between.
And among those 45 riders there will be several with ties to the Alabama Gymnastics program, chief among them is assistant head coach David Patterson. This will be Patterson's third year participating in the Ride, which has raised nearly $70,000 in its first three years of existence. The Ride, in its fourth year, is the brainchild of Stephanie Wilkins, the gymnastics team's nutritionist and a counselor and board member of Camp SAM. Wilkins made the first ride solo in 2001. The next year she was joined by Patterson, himself a cancer survivor. Last year the duo was joined by several more riders. Each year the Ride has raised more money than the year before. The goal in 2004 is $40,000.
And while the goal is high, Patterson, Wilkins and their buddies from last year have re-enforcements on the way. Cyclists from as far as Texas are a part of today's effort. As many 50 riders will make at least a portion of the trek with many planning to the distance. Among those joining the ride this year will be Alabama assistant gymnastics coach Bryan Raschilla, UA team physician Jimmy Robinson and two members of the Tide's 2002 NCAA Championship squad, All-American Kristin Sterner and Whitney Morgan.
Those wishing to support Camp SAM and the Ride can do so by making a donation at any Southtrust Bank location in Alabama to the Camp Smile A Mile Bike Fund Savings Account or by mailing a check or money order, made out to the Camp Smile-A-Mile Bike Fund to 3509 Foxtrail Lane, Northport, AL 35473. For more information visit the "Ride of Love" website at http://www.rideoflove.org/.
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