RIDE FOR LIFE 2009
Day 3: Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A beautiful day awaited us as we started today’s RIDE FOR LIFE from the Nathaniel Elementary School in Shirley, Long Island. This is our sixth year (out of twelve) in visiting this school and the students, from kindergarten through fifth grade, didn’t all wait for us at the school. A number of them walked down the street to meet us and accompany us to the rest of the students and faculty. Banners, signs, smiles, excitement and music provided the right touch for our caravan of patients, caregivers, and volunteers.
The principal, Mrs. Monica Corona, and assistant principal, Mr. Michael Baaden, exuded warmth and expressed genuine pleasure that their school was once again part of our itinerary. After the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner played so nicely by the band, the presentation of monetary donations were made to the RIDE FOR LIFE and accepted by Chris and Christine Pendergast. The president of the student council, Matt, gave the RIDE FOR LIFE a generous check. This reflected hard work and a joint effort of the Student Council and Executive Board, the faculty of the school as well as the community. That was a fantastic boost of support and encouragement, especially for the patients that rode today, Richie Kornak, Norma Steck-Hess, and Chris Pendergast.
Also, there was a small but impressive student delegation from the William Floyd Elementary School in Shirley, Long Island. Their principal, Mr. Keith Fasciana, and assistant principal, Mrs. Valerie Ennis, sent these representatives to give Chris a donation from their school which includes kindergarten through fifth grade. One of the delegates even had on a Lou Gehrig shirt in our honor.
After leaving the Woodhull Elementary School we had one of those personal interest happenings that have to be shared. We were making our way to the next stop when a woman on foot approached us. She saw our sign truck, the patients in their wheelchairs on the road with their caregivers and volunteers and the rest of the caravan. She parked her car and wanted to walk with us. We welcomed Janet Caruana whose mother died from ALS in 1976 and she had quite a story. The main point is that we are here for her now that she knows about us. Thank you, Janet, for acting on impulse!
On this year’s journey we are visiting familiar places and including new places. Such as this afternoon’s visit to Oregon Middle School in Medford which goes from the sixth through the eighth grade. This is our first visit there and the reception was a rousing one. The principal, Mr. Timothy Mundell, and assistant principal, Ms. Paula Mays were so hospitable. Their welcoming remarks were right on target with our vision of what today’s youth is capable of doing now and in the future. Mr. Mundell announced that starting this month, every May will be devoted to fighting ALS and helping to find a cure. Both faculty and the student population will be involved and have already been collecting donations that will be a very sizable total and surpass their first time goal by the end of this month. One of the school signs greeting us had the words written on it, “RIDE FOR LIFE is AWESOME!” Well, we feel the same way about this school!
