Ride 4 Wishes
A cycling event this weekend in Cape Coral will benefit Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.
The first-ever Project 10 Ride 4 Wishes and Family Day will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Cape Harbour, with registration opening at 6:15 a.m. It will feature a 15-mile ride, 31-mile ride and 62-mile ride, with the first taking off at 7:30 a.m., followed by a 5K Fun Ride at 10 a.m.
“We also have a Family Day going on,” Judy Elias, one of the event co-chairs, said.
Open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., it will feature face painting and games with prizes. For $5, children will receive a card that entitles them to one circuit of five games, plus a face painting.
ViSalus, which created and runs Project 10, will have a free obstacle course set up.
“We have a special speaker, who’s a Make-A-Wish recipient,” she said.
Elias explained that the 11-year-old girl from Sanibel had been diagnosed with leukemia. Within the last year or so, Make-A-Wish was able to grant the girl’s wish to take a trip to Hawaii.
“She’s just become cancer-free this summer,” she said.
Country artist Bobby James, based out of Nashville, will perform live starting at 11 a.m.
“He’s also autographing CDs for us,” Elias said.
There will also be a silent auction, along with multiple raffles throughout the event. Bidding in the silent auction will close at 12:30 p.m., and raffle tickets will be available for purchase on site.
Some of the auction items include a 16-inch children’s bicycle, an adult comfort bicycle worth an estimated $500, an electric guitar and a bracelet, which is valued at approximately $400.
The raffles tickets will go for $1 per ticket, $5 for six or $20 for 25. Items to be raffled off include bicycle tuneups and bicycle fittings, gift certificates to restaurants and businesses, and more.
A lunch of pulled pork will be served up by the Cape Coral Fire Department.
“There’s something for everyone,” she said. “If you’re not into bicycling, you can come out and listen to the music,” she said.
One hundred percent of the event’s net proceeds will go to Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.
“It’s staying all right here,” Elias said. “All of the proceeds stay right here in Southern Florida.”
As of Tuesday, about 65 people had pre-registered to take part in the ride. Organizers are expecting another 15 to 25 people to register day of, with an estimated final tally of around 125 riders.
“Our goal is (to raise) $5,500, which is one wish,” she said.
The entry fees for advance registration is $35 for adults and $25 for ages 13-18; the entry fee day of costs $45 for all ages. Children under 13 can register for the 5K Fun Ride at the event for $5.
The fees include a goodie bag with gifts, breakfast and lunch, and two raffle tickets.
Riders can earn additional raffle tickets by raising pledges, either per mile or straight donation. For every additional $25 raised, the rider will receive five more raffle tickets to use at the event.
Elias noted that the three riders who raise the most donations will also receive a prize.
Attendees are asked to bring canned food to donate to Community Cooperative Ministries Inc.
“For those who bring canned foods, I’ll give them raffle tickets,” she said.
To register in advance, visit: www.eventbrite.com, www.active.com or www.raceroster.com.
For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/SWFLProject10.