Boys and Girls hosts annual bike fundraiser

More than 800 bicyclists will tour Madison to help youth in Dane County as part of the 11th annual Bike for Boys and Girls Club ride on July 20.

According to Janine Stephens, director of marketing and special events, the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County serves about 3,000 youth in the area through educational and recreational programs.

Along with providing these services, the club served over 38,000 meals to youth in 2012.

"The part that hit me the most was about the meals," said Jason Scacciaferro, who has participated in the event in the past and will ride again this year. "No kid should really go home and go to bed hungry."

The ride is the club's largest fundraiser. Last year the event brought in $330,000, and this year the club's goal is to raise $350,000.

"We're close to our goal, but we still have a ways to go," Stephens said. "If we don't meet that goal, it will impact us and our programming because that's a huge part of our budget is special events. If we don't make that goal, we will have to make some changes internally, but we're hoping that won't be the case."

It costs $25 to register, and riders can register as individuals or they can create a team. Riders who register to participate as individuals are asked to raise an additional $50. Teams are asked to raise an additional $225. Registration is open through race day. Riders can raise money through Aug. 31.

The ride begins and ends at Edgewood High School, and riders can choose to go eight, 25 or 50 miles.

After the ride, the club provides refreshments and entertainment for participants.

"What I love about the bike ride is the camaraderie among the riders, and the pre and post-ride activities are a lot of fun too," said Stephanie Johnson, a captain for the St. Mary's Hospital Team.

Peter Gray, who captains the QTI team, will participate in the event for the eighth time this year. He rides the eight-mile course with his wife and children. He said his family has been raising money for the event throughout the summer, with his family donating proceeds from their lemonade stand to the event.

"It's just been a great family experience as my kids have grown up and as they've learned about giving back to the community," Gray said. "I was a Boys and Girls Club kid when I was a kid. I remember firsthand, and I see it in our community. This is a really, really essential organization."