Approximately 200 people came out and celebrated families and healthy life choices at the “Great Futures Family Bike Ride” on May 5, 2012. The event, hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, drew bicycle riders of all ages for a morning filled with fun, fitness and family to the Prairie-Duneland trail’s Chesterton trail head.
Chesterton Bicycle Station and Leo’s Mobile Bike Service provided free bike safety inspections and helmet fittings to riders prior to taking the trail. Rascal the Railcat provided an entertaining send-off to riders as they began their ride. Riders enjoyed water and refreshment stations placed along the trail as they rode up to 18 miles from Chesterton to County Line Road in Portage and back.
The “Great Futures Family Ride”, a new fundraising event for the organization, raised over $15,000 to support programs and activities for the nearly 5,000 members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County. “Our Clubs work with youth ages 6 through 18 every day. We felt it was appropriate for our organization to create an event that celebrates and encourages quality family time,” said Dawn Duty, Director of Resource Development for Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County. “We believe this is just the start of something that will grow for years to come”.
Sgt. Larry LaFlower of the Porter County Sheriff’s Department and Joe Larr, Porter County Code Enforcement Officer served as Co-Chairpersons of the event. Both are alumni of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County. “I would like to thank all the sponsors and volunteers that helped make this event a success for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County,” remarked Sgt. LaFlower. “I know that the kids thank everyone involved from the bottom of their hearts”.
Aqua Indiana and BMO Harris Bank are proud to be the Presenting Sponsors of the “Great Futures Family Bike Ride”.
Serving youth for 40 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County provide programs for nearly 5,000 boys and girls ages 5-18 in the areas of academic success, good character & citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has club sites located in Valparaiso, South Haven, Chesterton and Portage.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County offers a wide variety of summer camps and programs. For more information on summer activities, membership, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.