Team Boston Partners has its sights set on raising $25,000 in under three months
On September 28, 2013, over 1,500 bicycling enthusiasts will gather in Foxboro to participate in a non-competitive cycling event to help raise funds and awareness for their favorite charities. The Rodman Ride for Kids is the perfect opportunity for cyclists to experience an exhilarating 25, 50, or 100-mile ride through the beautiful back roads of Norfolk County.
For over 22 years, the Ride for Kids has brought dozens of social service agencies together to raise millions of dollars for life-changing programs that support at-risk youth in Massachusetts. Affiliated agencies raise funds through sponsorships year round, culminating with the non-competitive cycling tour each fall. In turn, the Ride for Kids matches these funds at a rate of 10% when the agency meets their predetermined fundraising goal.
Riders get ready to roll at the 2012 Rodman Ride for Kids
Through a partnership with the Mass Mentoring Partnership, Boston Partners has assembled a diverse, dedicated team of riders, each of whom are ready and willing to help improve the lives of Boston’s children. Every penny raised and matched through the Ride for Kids goes toward placing trained volunteer mentors in Boston Public Schools (BPS) classrooms. Check out our team page at www.tinyurl.com/ridebostonpartners to learn more or get involved.
Each member of Team Boston Partners is dedicated to helping provide BPS students with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed, but what else drives them to ride? We asked some of last year’s riders why they supported Boston Partners through the Ride for Kids.
A personal accomplishment
Dan Podheiser is riding the 50-mile course at the 2013 Ride for Kids
Dan Podheiser is completing an Americorps term of service with Boston Partners, focusing on grant writing and development support. He wasn’t much of a biker before he started training for the Ride for Kids last year.
“On a personal level, I have never been more proud of myself for the effort I put in that day,” Dan said. “By the end of my 25-mile ride, I felt great. But it was much more special being able to ride alongside my teammates from Boston Partners, and have a nice cheering section waiting for us when we crossed the finish line.”
Dan cannot wait to challenge himself on the 50-mile course this September.
A way to give back
Landis Huffman and his wife, Kristina
Landis Huffman also rode the 25-mile course last year.
He and his wife Kristina have been supporting Boston Partners in Education since they moved to the Boston area a few years ago. When they asked around about organizations doing valuable, effective work in the area, Boston Partners was the first name they got.
“I want to feel a tie to the community that I’m in,” said Huffman, “and I liked that Boston Partners in Education focused on providing educational support to a demographic with needs.” Landis was surprised to learn that over half of the students Boston Partners serves are English Language Learners. “The language barrier is a challenge to students that I wouldn’t have expected,” Huffman said.
Landis, an electrical engineer with the MITRE Corporation, decided to support Boston Partners in a new way when he signed up for the 2012 Ride for Kids.
“It gave me another avenue to support Boston Partners beyond just writing a check,” Huffman said.
He loved that the event had so many riders from different non-profits around Massachusetts and enjoyed getting a chance to meet other people in the non-profit community.
A chance to change lives
Reflecting on her experience last year, volunteer and donor Laura Koepnick said, “the Ride for Kids was very well-organized and a beautiful route. It was inspiring to see all the riders, do something fun, and raise money to support the work of Boston Partners in Education. A great day!”
Whether this year’s ride will be a personal accomplishment, a way to give back, or just a great day, we hope you will consider joining us by riding with Team Boston Partners or by supporting our efforts to support academic mentoring in Boston Public Schools. Visit our team page at www.tinyurl.com/ridebostonpartners to get signed up or to donate.
Volunteer Laura Koepnick with members of Team Boston Partners in 2012