By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
Grace Lower Stone Church has been holding an annual bike-a-thon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for more than 20 years.
But this year, Sandra Bruce, one of the organizers, says, “we are planning to have the greatest event ever.” Donations collected by participants in Sunday’s bike-a-thon “will be sent in honor of a baby of our own community, Riley Brilliant.”
The infant has been a patient at the St. Jude hospital in Memphis since March.
Riley’s parents, Michelle and Jason Brilliant, have attended the church, Bruce says, as have his grandparents, Paula and Bill Haines. The Haineses actually lived in the Grace Lower Stone parsonage at one point, she says, “so they’re well known to our church.”
The bike-a-thon will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church, located at 2405 Lower Stone Church Road in Rockwell. All participants are asked to report to the Sports Complex across from the church no later than 3:30 p.m. to turn in their paperwork and money.
Helmets are mandatory.
The ride is five miles in length, and cyclists will be escorted by police and firefighters. A trailer will be available to pick up bikes and riders as needed.
A tricycle route will be set up in the Sports Complex for young children who wish to participate. A walking course will be set up in the church parking lot, and water stops will be available.
Prizes will be awarded to everyone who collects at least $35 in donations.
Hot dogs with all the trimmings and drinks will be served upon completion of the event.
Participants are asked to turn in all money collected before the event starts so that it can be counted and sent to St. Jude as soon as possible.
Call the Grace Lower Stone Church office at 704-279-4176 with questions. Anyone planning to participate is also asked to call the church office and leave a message so that coordinators will have an approximate count.
The Web site for the Brilliant family at St. Jude is www.caringbridge.org/visit/babybrilliant.
Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-7683.