The following is a statement from ADEC President / CEO Donna L. Belusar regarding the cancellation of the 2020 ADEC Ride-A-Bike out of concerns for COVID-19. For Belusar’s previous updates this week on how ADEC is navigating the pandemic, click here.
“ADEC is proud to be a member of the Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties family– we are honored to call these communities our home. Due to the imminent risks presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, I announce the cancellation of one of ADEC’s signature fundraisers – the 48th annual Ride-A-Bike originally planned for May 16. ADEC believes that the welfare of our community—clients, ADEC staff and our neighbors—comes first.
“Ride-A-Bike is our most prominent, and highly anticipated, annual fundraiser. Ride-A-Bike, a multi-generational event, has become interwoven into the very fabric of both ADEC and Elkhart County and its cancellation only came after substantial deliberation. We will truly miss seeing the many familiar faces of our neighbors that gather to support ADEC’s mission.
“ADEC events like Ride-A-Bike may stop, but the service to our clients will continue. Many of our clients are medically vulnerable and face an increased risk of infection from a virus like COVID-19. Medical agencies on the local, state, national and even global level are increasingly advocating social distancing to help diminish the rate of COVID-19 transmission. We are entrusted with their lives and will continue to take the steps necessary to protect their health and well-being – even disheartening steps like cancelling Ride-A-Bike.
“We would like to thank the event’s planned presenting sponsor, Thor Motor Coach, along with the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, 1st Source Bank, Triangle Rubber & Plastics, Froggy 102.7 FM, and others who intended to donate, participate, volunteer or otherwise support Ride-A-Bike.
“Should any additional updates relative to COVID-19 be required, particularly a disruption in services or our various community-driven social enterprise efforts, we will share them as soon as possible here on our website (ADECinc.com) along with our Facebook (ADECservices) and Twitter (@ADEC1952) pages.”
