The 18th Annual “Ride for Missing Children,” an awareness and fundraising event for the Rochester office of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, NY (NCMEC/NY), took place on Friday, May 18. Over 200 seasoned and beginner cyclists, led by law enforcement, made the 100-mile bicycle trek around Monroe County beginning and ending at the Total Sports Experience in Gates. Along the way, riders visited area schools including Churchville-Chili’s Chestnut Ridge Elementary School, all four Spencerport elementary schools and all five Hilton schools with Village Elementary School serving as a rest/lunch stop.
Riders commit to meet fundraising goals, to train, and to ride. The goal is to honor and bring awareness to the plight of missing children and to help support the NCMEC/NY prevention education efforts which serve schools in the Greater Rochester area.
Hilton and Spencerport each had a team of riders. The Hilton Cadet Team has raised $1,815 so far with members teachers Susan Huppe, Dyan Menges and Principal Dr. Ben Rudd. The Spencerport Ranger Riders have raised $1,285 so far with members Tom Burger, Anthony Musa, Jamie Lissow, Kim Stacy, Gregory Kincaid and Christine Kincaid.
At the schools, students were led by NCMEC/NY staff and volunteers in cheering on the riders as they arrived and departed. Students also enjoyed a special visit from Clicky, the NetSmartz Internet safety spokes-robot. NetSmartz is a program of NCMEC/NY and teaches children how to be safer online.
The 2018 “Ride for Missing Children” has raised over $98,000 as of press time and donations are still being accepted. Those wishing to support the bicyclists in their efforts to raise funds for the Center can make secure donations online at www.ride.missingkids.com/rochester.
More photos will be available online Monday at westsidenewsny.com
