GILL — On the warm summer days of our youth, many of us took to our bicycles and tore off down sidewalks and streets alike, as often with our siblings as with our friends.
On July 24, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County plans to use pedal power to support its programs, which connect local children with older mentors, through its fifth annual Biking For Buddies event, a morning of cycling through Franklin County.
The 10, 25 and 50-mile rides will start and finish at Northfield Mount Hermon in Gill.
The 50-miler starts at 8 a.m., the 25-mile ride starts at 9 a.m. and the 10-mile trip sets out at 10 a.m. Registration is $40, and all proceeds go toward funding the organization’s programs.
The first 75 riders get a T-shirt and goodie bag, and a raffle will be held for an around-town Giant Escape 3 bicycle from Bicycles and Skis Unlimited in Greenfield.
Lunch will be provided from Hillside Pizza in Bernardston and Red Fire Farm in Montague, and anyone is welcome to join for just those events for a smaller donation.
Big Brothers Big Sisters currently serves about 150 children. The program is always looking for volunteers, and staff will be at the event to assist with signing up or to answer questions.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is “continually seeking to serve more children who could benefit from mentors,” said Ericka Almeida, a spokeswoman for the organization, in a press release. “Mentoring is truly a prevention program, as children with mentors are less likely than their peers to engage in risky behaviors and have been shown to have better relationships with parents and peers and to do better in school.”
You can reach Tom Relihan at: 413-772-0261 ext. 264, or trelihan@recorder.com
On Twitter: @RecorderTom