RIDE FOR LIFE 2009
Day 5: Friday, May 15, 2009
Day 5 started off at Cherry Avenue Elementary School, the front of the school was decorated with signs of encouragement and love to all of our PALS. The PALS started the day at the home of Dorothy Deutsch, wife of our good friend and PAL, David Deutsch, where she fueled our riders with breakfast. Dorothy, and their two sons, Ethan and Andrew, walked the PALS, their caregivers and our volunteers from their home to the school, which they both attend.
The schools walkway was crowded with students, all holding signs and cheering. As we progressed in, a class held up a large sign reading “CHERRY AVE SUPPORTS RIDE 4 LIFE” and that is exactly how we felt that morning, supported. Principal, Mr Stimmel, started the ceremony with words of encouragement, for not only all of our riders and their families, but especially their very own family afflicted with this disease, the Deutsch’s, he spoke about their school being a family, and supporting the members of their family, and welcoming Ride for Life into the Cherry Avenue family.
Mr. Stimmel called up four students, from Ethan and Andrew’s classes, to present a donation to Chris and the other riders joining us for the day, Norma and Rich. The 5th grade class did a great performance to kick us off, and on the road we went, full of encouragement and love.
We started our journey for the day to East Islip Middle school, we walked down Montauk highway spreading awareness for our cause, Larry and Phil, as always, did a great job handing out brochures about ALS and RFL and collecting donations from people driving by, and with the great police escorts of Suffolk County, we made it safely to East Islip Middle school, where they welcomed us with cheers down the driveway of the school.
We had a warm reception from the Principle Mr Mark Bernard, as well as the Superintendent, Mr. Wendell Chu. A fantastic lunch was graciously donated to us by the East Islip Teachers Association, from Kitchen Cabaret. Our PALS and volunteers relaxed, and fueled up for the last leg of our day, as we were wonderfully waited on by students and faculty. After getting on our way we headed off to our last stop, Montfort Missionaries in Bayshore.
We rode through Main Street in East Islip and spread our awareness through the town, many people cheered and honked for us as we went on our way. As we arrived at Montfort Missionaries, Father George gave our PALS, their caregivers, families, and volunteers a blessing.
It was a wonderful day to be a part of, filled with the love and support of students, and from our Ride family.
And as quickly as this day started, it ended, and with it, ending week one of the Ride for Life 2009.
