Sunshine and spectacular views of the Aroostook County landscape greeted 71 cyclists who participated in the first annual Ride Aroostook event. Organizers of Ride Aroostook, sponsored by Fairpoint Communications, the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation and Cary Medical Center, were thrilled with the fund-raising segment of the event which has reached $18,000 and may grow in the days ahead to more than $20,000.
Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary Medical Center stated that everyone who road the 140-mile, two-day tour had nothing but high praise for the ride. “We just could not have asked for more,” said Flagg, who helped plan Ride Aroostook over the past 18 months. “The weather was perfect, the roads were great, the route was incredible and the cyclists truly got the ‘Wow’ experience.” Riders praised the organization of the event which was based at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Two days of lodging, meals, a live band performance and the ride were all included for participants. Flagg congratulated the University for hosting the event.
“We could not have had a better venue,” said Flagg, who was still wrapping things up on Monday. “The food-service people were outstanding and very cooperative and the facilities available to riders were very comfortable and convenient. Cyclists even had access to the Gentile Center for showering, swimming and lockers for a minimal fee. And, the campus is beautiful with extraordinary views of the area.”
Nearly half of the 71 riders who participated were from outside Aroostook County which pleased Brent Jepson, a member of the event planning committee. “We were hoping to bring people from away,” stated Jepson, of Caribou, who drove one of five support vehicles along the cycling route. “We are very happy that so many people came from outside the County. They will help spread the word for next year. Many of the riders literally said ‘wow’ along the route when they viewed the vast landscape and colorful scenery. Many had never been this far north.”
Four of the participants raised more than $500 in pledges for the ride. Mike Dugal, an employee of Cary Medical Center, Brian Hamel, Stacy Dimou and Ashley Mayo each received an embroidered hooded sweatshirt as the ‘top fund raisers.’ Hamel raised more than $1,000.
Erica Laplante, R.N., diabetes educator and director of Camp Adventure, spoke at a ceremony just prior to a live band performance on Saturday night following the first day of the event and the announcement that $18,000 had been raised.
“I can’t thank all of the riders and volunteers enough for making this event happen,” said Laplante. “It will make it possible for us to continue our camp and to reduce the waiting list for children who want to come to camp.”
LaPlante, herself a type-one diabetic, who went to Camp Adventure as a young teen, spoke about what an impact it had on her life.
“Having started as a camper and now being camp director, I know what this experience can mean to children with type-one diabetes,” said LaPlante. “It helps them learn that they can really do anything they want as long as they learn how to manage their blood sugar. This Ride Aroostook event can really be a life-changer for these kids”.
Two teens who participated in Camp Adventure also spoke about the camp. Both are now camp counselors and have attended the one-week residential program for more than five years. Dylan Greenier and Christopher Farley expressed thanks to the riders and volunteers, explaining that before they went to camp they did not know they could do all the things that other children do.
Farley said he is planning to do the ride next year and will begin fundraising as soon as the date has been set. “I will work hard to raise money and I believe I can complete the ride with training and practice,” said Farley. Organizers of the event are now looking at the date for 2012.
Flagg said it will be hard to beat this year’s event. “I just can’t say enough about the way this came together. More than 30 businesses contributed as sponsors, our volunteers were marvelous, our committee met for months to cover all the details, everyone performed flawlessly.”
“Special thanks to the Presque Isle Police Department for their support and to all the well wishers who offered that unique Aroostook hospitality to our riders,” Flagg added. “There are so many people to thank and we will get to that in the weeks ahead but for now, we are just basking in the light of $18,000 going to benefit children with diabetes.”
Donations will continue to be accepted for the event until October. Individuals wanting to learn more about Camp Adventure or the Ride Aroostook event can contact Flagg at 498-1376.
