If you happen to drive by the Emerson and Florence Sawyer School grounds in Bolton on Sunday, June 8, you’re likely to see nearly 100 kids riding their bikes, all for a good cause.
They’ll be taking part in the third annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Kids Ride, to raise money for the Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Young riders, age 3 to 14, can choose from three different routes. There’s “Tyke and Trikes,” a short obstacle course for tricycle-riders; the “Hardtop Challenge,” a 1-mile loop on a paved surface for 4- to 14-year-olds; and the “Ultimate Bolton Challenge,” a one-mile paved loop followed by an off-road loop for riders aged 9 to 14.
The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is an annual bike-a-thon that raises millions of dollars each year for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. In 2005, the PMC Kids ride became an official program of the PMC as a way to get kids involved. According to the PMC’s official website, “The program engages youth in philanthropy, instills the value of working for the benefit of others, and promotes athletic fitness and physical activity.” Today, there are more than 20 Kids Rides throughout Massachusetts.
The Bolton Kids Ride sounded like a great idea to Stow Road resident Pam Lora, who is working with Bolton resident Janet O’Shea to coordinate Harvard volunteers for the event. Pam said in a recent interview that she feels deeply connected to the fundraiser, as her own daughter, Catalina, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia in 2005 when she was only 17 months old. Catalina received treatment at Children’s Hospital, and today she is cancer-free.
The Lora family’s initial connection to the PMC organization was through Pam’s husband, Rolando, who has participated in the “grownup” rides every August. Pam became interested in helping with the PMC Kids Ride because it was a great way for her six-year-old son, Marcos, to participate.
“This was something Marcos could do,” she said, emphasizing the fact that the activity gives kids a concrete way to help make a difference.
In the past, participants in the PMC Kids Ride have raised funds individually. However, this year, Pam said, the organizers are also encouraging team efforts in order to get more people involved. So Pam is working to organize volunteers from Marcos’ kindergarten class at Harvard Elementary School, as well as classmates from Catalina’s class at Village Nursery School.
“The showing for Harvard last year was just us,” explained Pam. “This year, we’re trying to get more people interested and involved.”
This year’s Kids Ride promises to be full of fun for its youthful participants. In addition to the rides themselves, kids can enjoy music, face-painting, bike-decorating, and a barbeque.
Check-in for the event begins at 11 a.m., with the ride to follow at noon. There is a $10 registration fee, and a $25 fundraising minimum. To register or contribute online, visit http://kids.pmc.org, e-mail Kristen Keane at kristen@keaneville.com, or call 800-WE-CYCLE.