When a group of Warren County bicyclists went for a ride, they joined a large group riding for a cause.
The annual Ride for Roswell benefits the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. A total of 8,010 riders participated in the event.
The 17th annual Ride raised $3.7 million for the institute. "It's their largest fund-raiser for research," Team Warren Captain Cathy Bertch said.
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Ride for Roswell
Tom Groff leads Team Warren teammates Lori Bimber and Jen Hale in the final stretch of their 2012 Roswell Ride.
The 24 riders of Team Warren raised over $10,000.
Each rider works to collect donations. Seven businesses - Kwik Fill/Red Apple, Warren Chiropractic Center, United Refining Co., Siliano Construction, Lyle Electric, Warren Tire Center, Latina Boulevard Foods - were honored for their contributions by having their names on the riders' jerseys.
No donation money was used on equipment for the riders, Bertch said. All donations went to the hospital.
For each dollar raised during the event, grants added seven more. So Warren accounted for a contribution of "over $80,000 for the hospital," Bertch said.
It was only the second year for the team and both participation and funding went up significantly. In 2011, 11 riders raised $3,300, according to Bertch.
Participants can opt for rides varying in distance from three miles to over 100. Team Warren's riders chose rides of 33, 44, and 65 miles, Bertch said.
Between working to raise money, preparing for the ride, and working for such a worthy cause, being part of the team brought the members together.
"This group has really become close friends," Bertch said.
Many of the members have lost family and friends to cancer, she said. "This ride really means a lot to us. It's been really special for me."
Information about the ride can be found at rideforroswell.org.
The members of Team Warren were Megan Minich, Bill Dawes, Sandy Wilks, Sabrina Piaschyk, Kathy Decker, Steve Siliano, Diana Flickner, Jessica Roudybush, Amy Ward, Kathie White, Lori Bimber, Todd Randolph, Cathy Bertch, Tom Groff, Jeff Flickner, Jennifer Hale, John Brodfuehrer, Martha Donnelly, Jim Decker, Mike Roudybush, Kitty Groff, Rich Bimber, Nancy Mieszczak, and Mary Kate Weeks.