Activism Linda is involved in many worthwhile causes, and in the
coming months we will share some of those with you.
Linda Asks for Your Help
in
Supporting her Hyannis Port Challenge Ride
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Welcome to the sixth
annual
Volvo Hyannis Port Challenge!
Tedy Bruschi
Honorary Chairman
On May 21 2005,
cycle 20 or 90 miles from the JFK Library
to the Kennedy Compound on Cape Cod
in loving memory of Rosemary Kennedy
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The Volvo
Hyannis Port Challenge -- chaired by New England Patriot Tedy Bruschi --
is a unique cycling event, offering participants an unforgettable ride
experience from the JFK Library in Boston to the Kennedy Compound in
Hyannis Port. Ride alongside athletic legends like Greg LeMond, Tom Brady
and Carl Lewis and Hollywood celebrities like Tom Arnold, CSI Miami's
David Caruso and Joan Cusack along this beautiful and historic course.
Once you finish, celebrate your success at the
celebrity-packed Kennedy Compound party. The Post ride party features a
lobster clambake and private concert on Senator Kennedy’s lawn.
The Volvo Hyannis Port Challenge is dedicated to
the memory of Rosemary Kennedy, who inspired a global movement advancing
the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Her profound
legacy is felt around the globe, and – although she sadly passed away in
January this year – it will last forever.
Rosemary was the sister of the late President
John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and current Massachusetts
Senator Edward M. Kennedy. She also shared a particularly close
relationship with her sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded Special
Olympics.
Her fellow family members – and thousands of
others – were inspired by her life and have been determined to end the
misunderstanding, misguided shame and solitary isolation that formerly
surrounded people with intellectual disabilities. Rosemary’s exceptional
life inspired the creation of many important firsts in the field of
intellectual disabilities, including the President’s Committee on Mental
Retardation, Special Olympics and Best Buddies.
Ride for Rosemary in the VHPC this year as a
testament to all of those whose lives have been impacted by her
extraordinary life. In addition to this special feature of the VHPC, Best
Buddies has also established The Rosemary Fund which accepts contributions
in her memory. The Rosemary Fund will make leadership grants to Best
Buddies programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
100% of the money raised by riders benefits Best
Buddies International in carrying out its mission of providing friends and
jobs for people with intellectual disabilities. |
I've
always thought that life is like a journey ... an adventure. And, in
this case it's a bike ride! A bike ride with a buddy! That's
what makes this journey that much more wonderful.
Linda
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| Linda has pledged $2,000.00
for her support to the Hyannis Port Challenge Ride and below is a link to support
Linda, as well as her son, Jeff Thrasher, on their ride May 21. To
show her support, Linda will send every one who donates $20.00 or more, a
personally autographed color 8x10 photograph.
For more information, visit www.hyannisportchallenge.net.
To make a pledge directly for Linda, please visit the below link: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=59553&supId=78831758 To
make a pledge directly for Jeff, please visit the below link: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=59553&supId=78831870%0D%0A
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FORD MOTOR COMPANY DONATION TO
"RIDE ON"
CHARITY HELPS THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED
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Ford's donation will allow Ride On organizations riding
area surface to be covered with recycled crumb rubber which benefits the
older horses and their disabled riders.
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CHATSWORTH, CA: A Ford donation of $13,200 will facilitate the purchase
of recycled rubber material to cover the riding surfaces for the horses of
California-based Ride On organization. Ride On is a 10 year-old non-profit
group that teaches horseback-riding skills to mentally and physically challenged
children and adults.
From their facilities in Chatsworth and Newbury Park, Ride On's team of
dedicated instructors, physical therapists, and volunteers serve about 140
riders each week, helping administer their 5000 riding lessons a year.
"Riding horses provides substantial and psychological benefits to any
rider," said Bryan McQueeney, Ride On's Executive Director.
"Physically impaired riders can enjoy an activity that helps improve their
balance, strength and flexibility. Our Hippotherapy program, for instance,
rely on the horse's movement for rehabilitation of mobility, posture and even
communication with a disabled person. Ford Motor Company's support is a
huge boost to our program."
"At Ford we are striving to make the world a better place," said
Andy Acho, Ford's Worldwide Director of Environmental Outreach. "We
are delighted to lend a helping hand to an organization that has been doing that
for years. Our role as a catalyst in this project will hopefully lead
others toward environmentally responsible and beneficial applications for
recycled tires. We are delighted that this wonderful organization was
brought to our attention by Linda Gray, actor, environmentalist and Goodwill
Ambassador to the United Nations (working with women and children
globally)".
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"I was impressed by their proactive environmental actions that Ford
Motor Company has undertaken and suggested Ford consider Ride On as a
beneficiary of its outreach program," said Linda.
Ford's financial contribution will help pay for 88,000 lbs. of recycled
rubber material that will cover the riding areas at both Ride On
facilities. The use of recycled rubber not only improves the footing for
the animals, but also helps protect the joints of the older equine while
reducing the dust that might be harmful to sensitive respiratory systems.
The recycled rubber is the result of a program that collects millions of
discarded tires, including more than 8 million from Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealerships, and converting them to crumb rubber whose use provides a more
environmentally responsible alternative to burning or landfill. Ford has
helped more than 30 riding facilities across the U.S. and Canada with crumb
rubber donations. |
For more information about Ride On
please visit www.rideon.org
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