CARIBOU — Officials with Cary Medical Center, scores of volunteers and sponsors are gearing up (quite literally) for “Ride Aroostook 2012,” an annual bicycle riding event that takes participants on a tour through scenic central Aroostook County while raising money for a good cause.
“Ride Aroostook provides a spectacular, fully supported cycling tour of the beautiful Aroostook countryside,” said Cary officials. “At the same time, this event helps support Camp Adventure, a one-of-a-kind summer camp for children with Type 1 diabetes.”
The University of Maine at Presque Isle will be the home base of the second annual bike event, held on Saturday, Aug. 11 and Sunday, Aug. 12.
Last year’s inaugural event drew 73 participants and raised over $16,000 to help support Camp Adventure; officials said that 100 percent of the funds raised in the ride will be directed to Camp Adventure, which has provided life-changing experiences to kids with type one diabetes for the past 14 years.
Due to a lack of resources to cover the cost of staff and supplies, potential campers have to be turned away every year.
“Our camp provides a one-to-one staff-to-camper ratio and we keep our camp registration cost as low as possible so that any child can participate,” Cary officials said. “We want to expand our camp to include more children and Ride Aroostook will help do just that.”
To help encourage a fun, festival atmosphere, Ride Aroostook organizers have arranged other fun activities to be held in conjunction with the event. On Friday, Aug. 10, a wine and cheese reception will be held featuring the musical talents of the Northern Maine Chamber Orchestra.
Saturday afternoon’s musical styling deviates from Friday’s classical roots; up and coming acoustic rock band “Mellow Endeavor” will be performing in the event tent at UMPI.
Cary Medical Center has partnered with First Giving to accept online registrations and donations, and to provide each registrant with their own personalized Ride Aroostook fund-raising webpage. Individuals can register for the event online at www.ridearoostook.org/event/register/ or by calling 498-1112 and registering for on-site check-in.
“We challenge you to become one of the top fundraisers who raise over $500 for the cause; a special gift and recognition will be provided to the Ride Aroostook 2012 Top Fundraisers,” Cary officials said. “In addition, this year we are offering return riders an incentive to ‘Bring a Buddy;’ if a returning rider refers a new participant who completes registration and raises the minimum pledge requirement, the returning rider will receive a $25 gas card at check in.”
Additional volunteers are still needed for this event; information about Ride Aroostook can be found online at www.ridearoostook.org.
