25 Bergen County cyclists will take part in an annual charity bike ride.
(Courtesy of Bike4Chai) As the country reopens following more than a year of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, people are ready to hit the road … for a good cause. On July 29, a record 600 cyclists will ride close to 60,000 miles to support children with serious illnesses as part of Bike4Chai. Now in its 12th year, the annual cycling event raises funds for Chai Lifeline, the international children’s health support network that provides social, practical and financial assistance to children with life-threatening and lifelong illnesses and their families.
Jason Stein of Bergenfield will join 25 riders from Bergen County taking part in Bike4Chai 2021.
“What motivates me is getting to do a challenging ride while raising money to help kids and families that need support,” said Stein. “Seeing different types of people come together towards the goal of helping these children is truly amazing.”
This year’s one-day ride will feature two scenic but challenging route options of 80 or 103 miles. Cyclists will depart from Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, New Jersey, stopping at the gates of Camp Simcha Special, Chai Lifeline’s summer camp for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities in Glen Spey, New York. There, the riders will be greeted by the campers, many of whom require wheelchairs, respirators or other medical equipment to survive, before returning to Vernon for a finish line celebratory barbecue.
Barry Aranoff from New Rochelle said, “Being a part of such an incredible organization is an amazing feeling. I only do a small part by riding a bike, but seeing what all of the staff and volunteers do for the children and their families is truly remarkable.”
“With every mile they ride and every dollar they raise, our cyclists impact the lives of thousands of children and families living with pediatric illness,” said Yoel Margolese, director of Bike4Chai. “Thanks to their dedication, as well as the overwhelming support of our community, Bike4Chai continues to be not only a world-class cycling event but one of the largest experiential fundraisers in the world.”
Bike4Chai benefits Chai Lifeline’s more than two dozen year-round programs and services, including professional case management and counseling, meal delivery to hospitals and homes, transportation to medical appointments, emergency financial assistance, Project Chai crisis intervention, insurance advocacy, i-Shine after-school programming for children living with illness or loss in their families, Camp Simcha/special summer programming, and more.
To learn more, visit www.bike4chai.com.
