Ride FAR Generates Over $50,000 for CHAMP

In 2007 CHAMP became a national beneficiary of Ride FAR - the Ride for AIDS Resources - a five-day, 500-mile bicycle trek that wound its way through more than 100 New England towns in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut on September 5-9, 2007. Sixteen riders and ten road crew members raised over $150,000. This total is split among several beneficiaries, with $50,000 benefiting CHAMP.

Bike-a-thons fundraising for many worthy causes fill the summer landscape. Supported by large budgets and corporate sponsors, these events make a big impression, but they can get derailed with high overhead and prohibitive fundraising costs.

Ride FAR, however, stands out. What is unique about this event is that every cent raised reaches community-based AIDS service organizations.

Since 1989 - with dogged commitment but without corporate sponsors, a budget, paid staff, or advertising - Ride FAR has quietly raised more than $950,000 to fund services for people living with HIV/AIDS. None of the money has gone toward administration or overhead.

Although widely supported over the years by individuals, businesses, and communities, Ride FAR remains the inspired vision of one woman, Suzy Becker. The author of numerous best-selling books, including the international classic, All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat, and the memoir, I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse?, Becker founded Ride FAR and has organized and cycled in the event from the beginning.

Ride FAR has strong Rhode Island ties. Founded by Becker, a Brown University graduate, Ride FAR 10 includes three Rhode Island riders (including the Ride's oldest participant, 61) and four road crew members. Part of the ride route winds through the town on Little Compton, along the Rhode Island/Massachusetts border and through several northern Rhode Island townships. Most of the riders and crew live elsewhere in New England, though some came from Washington, DC and California.

At the heart of Ride FAR 10 are the amateur cyclists who have committed to an intensive summer of training and fundraising. To participate in Ride FAR, riders must raise a minimum of $2,000 as well as commit to raising awareness along the route. The support team for the riders, the road crew, also raise funds in addition to their volunteer labor.

Although Ride FAR is a New England event benefiting many local AIDS service organizations, funds raised from Ride FAR benefit national and international HIV/AIDS groups. Two-thirds of the funds collected goes to two organizations: CHAMP and The Pediatric AIDS Call to Action Project, an initiative dedicated to reducing the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission in developing countries. The remaining one-third of the Ride FAR proceeds stays local - riders designate a Ride FAR beneficiary within their own communities. Rhode Island riders designated Miriam Hospital's Infectious Diseases Division's Patient Assistant Fund.

"Each ride, we carefully research organizations that meet the changing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and select beneficiaries where our funds will go the furthest," says Becker. "It is both our belief and our experience that these funds make a difference. For Ride FAR 10, a portion of the proceeds will fund CHAMP's Prevention Justice Partnership Program, enabling groups across the country to collectively plan, build, launch and sustain winnable HIV prevention campaigns. On a global level, Ride FAR money will be earmarked through the Pediatric AIDS Call to Action Project for the Democratic Republic of Congo where private funding is most urgently needed."

In addition to raising funds, Ride FAR allows riders and community members to interact. This happened most powerfully at a benefit concert held the third night of Ride FAR 10 (on Friday, Sep. 7, in Franklin, MA). CHAMP Executive Director Julie Davids spoke during the event, and CHAMP staffer Josh Thomas supported the entire ride on the road crew.

Thanks to everyone who organized, participated in and donated to Ride FAR! For a complete listing, see the 2007 Donors recognition article in this issue of CHAMP eNews.

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