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Bicyclists will be happy to know that the 2021 Smartride, a 165 mile ride over 2 days from Miami to Key West, is back and set for November 19-20. Since 2003, this ride has raised $12.5 million for numerous HIV/Aids related clinics around the state and amazingly 100 percent of the funds raised by the riders goes to charity. Everyone volunteers their time and talent to make this a success. From 100 riders the first year, when they raised $169,000, they now have more than 700 riders coming from all over the US. During the pandemic, since they could not meet in person, they came up with a creative way for people to participate using units with 165. Some cyclists pedaled their usual 165 miles on their own or on a stationary bike, others cleaned a beach for 165 minutes and one individual even rode a paddle-board for 16.5 miles. Amazingly, they brought in more than $730,000.
For many organizations and groups this has become an annual event they never miss. In fact, the Coral Gables Woman’s Club has supported this event since its second year and, lead by CGWC Secretary Carmen Suarez, is already planning their costumes and looking forward to sharing two hardworking but very fun rewarding days with event founder Glen Weinzimer and other volunteers. Glen promises that the volunteers have everything covered to make sure riders are safe. If you need medical care or need to stop and get a ride or have bike issues and need repairs, they have it covered. Those wanting more information should visit www.thesmartride.org.
Speaking of Smartride, half of the proceeds from CGWC Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger on July 6 will be directed to Smartride as will be other events. If you read this in time to attend, please send RSVP to gloria@cnews.net. The event begins at 7 p.m. and the donation for 12 game cards is $25. It’s a party with DJ Germain providing music and Clutch Burger owner Steven Bradley handling the other entertainment.
In other news, recently several Gables Rotarians met at Shake-A-Leg in Coconut Grove to meet some of the children they helped sponsor for summer camp. It was a nice time to interact with the children as well as SAL volunteers and Harry Horgan who founded the program so many years ago. Harry and RCCG Treasurer and long time SAL volunteer, Bill Quesenberry, shared how this sailing program began for those with physical challenges and has since broadened its outreach. Shake-A-Leg now includes more than sailing and serves everyone: rich and poor, young and old, able-bodied and not. It has become an amazing community resource that educates, entertains and grows character, confidence and leadership. Kudos to Harry and all those who support this amazing place.
Shake-A-Leg is just one of many charitable programs the Rotary Club of Coral Gables has quietly supported through their RCCG Foundation from local and international charitable programs to scholarships. Aside from $23,000 in scholarship awards, since January of 2021 alone, the RCCG Foundation has made distributions to Alfalit International, Chapman Partnership for online bingo during pandemic, Actors Playhouse, Ecoworks International for programs in Haiti, Junior Orange Bowl for its Youth Ambassadors Program, Coral Gables Crime Watch, and Miami Rescue Mission. In addition, they helped coordinated a Golf Ball Drop for the District that generated $74,365 sent to Rotary International’s Foundation.
Coral Gables Rotarians will hold their installation at their July 3 Independence Day picnic at Matheson Hammock Park. President Kelly Garces, whose did an amazing job leading the club through a year of Zoom meetings and other challenges, will pass the gavel to Nicolas Eterovic. This will be only the second time since Covid that the club will meet in person.
Those Rotarians wishing to RSVP should contact RCCG Past President Sally Baunpartner who organizes this picnic every year. Looks like 70 have already responded, so it should be a fun time. By the way, in person meetings will resume the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, 12:15 p.m., at Two Sisters Restaurant at the Hyatt Coral Gables. The 1st and 3rd Thursdays, club meetings will be held via Zoom.
Finally, prayers go out to those who suffered the loss of loved ones or were displaced by the horrific collapse of the condo in Surfside. The outpouring of donations is testament to how heartbroken our community is for all those affected by this event. May God give victims, families and those rescue workers the strength needed to endure this tragedy.
Note: The Coral Gables Community Foundation, the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, The Miami Foundation, together with the Miami HEAT and John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, have launched a hardship fund to help those impacted and will be collecting donations to support all those affected by this tragedy. To donate, go to https://supportsurfside.org/
Until next time, keep making each day count, share an act of kindness every day and stay safe.
