We know we say this every year, but it’s true: Ride-A-Bike is back and better than ever.
Returning for its 46th year, Ride-A-Bike is ADEC’s largest fundraiser with 100 percent of registration fees going to provide choice and possibility to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Just like last year, we will have routes ranging from 5-65 miles with live music, crafts and free massages (yes, you read that right!)
Registration is now open for ADEC’s (Walk, Run or) Ride-A-Bike, which takes place on Saturday, May 19, at Northridge High School.
We are especially excited about our newest addition to this year’s Ride-A-Bike lineup: The chip-timed Color Our World 5K. You add color into the lives of the people we serve, so we’re going to add some color to yours.
We realize that not everyone owns a bike, so we are excited to introduce a new way to be active and support ADEC. The Color Our World 5K will be at the same time and place as Ride-A-Bike, but will follow a different course.
The Color Our World 5K is a chip-timed course through the Middlebury Community Schools campus. The 5K route uses the same trails that Northridge High School’s cross-country team practices on, so we know you’ll love it!
Why a color run? It’s metaphorical, really. Although ADEC receives funding from the government, that money only provides the essentials for the people we serve. For example, Medicaid funding pays for one roundtrip per day. If an individual we serve has a doctor’s appointment, that counts as their one roundtrip. But that appointment only lasts an hour, maybe two. What now? If ADEC operated only on government funding, that individual would be forced to sit at home for the rest of the day, twiddling their thumbs.
But that’s not how ADEC works. At ADEC, we believe individuals deserve a life of choice and possibility. After our individuals go to their doctor’s appointment, we will take them to their job at ADEC Industries or to one of our five day service locations, where they can learn new skills and catch up with friends.
We look at the government funding we receive from Medicaid like a black crayon. It’s the basics — no more, no less. When you give to ADEC, you are giving us a full box of crayons. You are adding color to the lives of the people we serve. You are making unfunded programs, like Summer Camp and guardianship, possible.
Plus, the color powder will make for some really cool pictures to post on Instagram and Facebook.
Sign up today. Your $30 registration fee includes a white (well, it won’t be white for long) T-shirt, a packet of color powder, an ADEC coffee mug and food at the finish line — because you earned it.
