Cindy Pikul loved volunteering for the annual JFS Wheels for Meals—A Ride to Fight Hunger, which she did for three years. Even as she was fighting the ovarian cancer that eventually claimed her life last July, she was planning on participating in last year’s ride/walk event. This year, event planners are dedicating the three-mile course to Pikul as a tribute to her volunteerism and spirit that made the ride a joy to those cyclists under her watchful eye.
The fifth annual Wheels for Meals—A Ride to Fight Hunger will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2015—the weekend before Father’s Day—at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, 10 Link Drive in Rockleigh, NJ. The event is a major fundraiser for Jewish Family Service of Bergen and North Hudson, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, to support its key initiatives that fight hunger in Bergen County: its Meals on Wheels program and food pantry, which serve a diverse range of area residents who are in need. Event coordinators are expecting more than 500 riders this year to raise over $150,000 to fund this essential program to alleviate hunger among the area’s most vulnerable residents.
Last year, JFS delivered 28,000 nutritionally balanced meals to the homebound elderly and disabled.
A Legacy of Spirit and Strength
As a marshal, Pikul ensured that participating cyclists were keeping up with the others and that no one encountered a problem along the route. A nutrition, fitness and wellness advocate, she had discovered triathlon competition in 2010 and was a member of Team TBW out of the Tenafly Bicycle Workshop. As befitting her enthusiasm for sports and fitness, she trained hard and won a bronze medal in her age group in her very first triathlon.
“Cindy was attracted to Wheels for Meals—A Ride to Fight Hunger for several reasons,” said her brother, Greg Pikul. “First, the JFS is a notable charity and hunger is a very important cause; she was dedicated to helping people be more fit and healthier; plus, her triathlon group had a big impact on her life in terms of outdoor exercise. The Wheels for Meals ride was a combination of all her passions. It was really nice to see her pull them together in a meaningful way.”
This year, all the event jerseys will bear the image of a lotus in remembrance of Pikul, and all children ages 14 and younger on the three-mile route will be given a medal commemorating her. The lotus blossom was chosen by Team TBW, whose members also participate in the Wheels for Meals event, to honor her spirit.
“The lotus symbolizes the female spirit, strength and grace which remind us of Cindy,” explained Mara Miller, leader of Team TBW and a Wheels for Meals committee member. “Right after she passed away I went looking for something we could all share to remember her by. When I saw a bracelet with a lotus flower charm I was reminded that the strong stem of the flower represents an eternal, unbreakable bond between two people, and that our relationships and shared hearts are the key to happiness. I knew right away this was it.” Miller purchased bracelets for the 15 Team TBW members, many of whom still wear theirs in Cindy’s memory.
Cyclists may register for the fundraiser as individuals or as teams, for courses ranging from 3 to 50 miles, depending on age and ability; a fun walk for all ages will also be available. All participants are well supported in their fundraising efforts with email templates and customized participant pages.
Corporations interested in sponsoring the event should contact Barbara Bender at [email protected]. Vendor opportunities are also available at the registration area. In addition, JFS is seeking volunteers to work prior to and at the event in a number of roles. Full details for riders, sponsors, vendors and donors are at www.ridetofighthunger.com.
By Caryn Starr-Gates
