Above / In October 2014, the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown hosted a casual bike ride departing from Quigley’s Irish Pub when one of its members, Naish Shah, was conditioning with a team of Rotary International employees to join Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko on a 104-mile bike ride to raise funds to help eradicate Polio worldwide. The RI “Miles To End Polio” initiative occurred during the El Tour De Tucson bike event in Arizona in November 2014. Club interest in that bike ride was the impetus to host the 19th Annual Naperville Rotary Ride. (PN File Photo)
Online registration now in progress
The 19th annual Rotary Ride, held in memory of Carmen DiGiovine, will begin and end at Commissioners Park, 3704 111th St. in south Naperville, on Sunday, August 9. Cyclists may start the leisurely bike ride any time beginning at 6:30AM and no later than noon.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown and presented by DiGiovine, Hnilo, Jordan and Johnson, Ltd., the bike ride will be SAG supported until 3PM and offer a 1.4 mile family loop, 21, 41, and 62 (metric century) mile routes.
“The 19th Annual Rotary Ride is already a huge success, with 15 sponsors led by DiGiovine, Hnilo, Jordan & Johnson, Ltd.,” said Pat Benton, sponsor co-chairman. “We are well on our way to providing new financial support to local charities Naperville CARES, Naperville Responds for Our Veterans and international support to Rotary’s Polio Plus.”
Cyclists can sign up online, Benton added.
The initial “Early Bird” registration is over. A discounted registration of $40 is available until July 20 that guarantees cyclists a commemorative t-shirt.
After July 21, the price goes up to $50 and will remain $50 on the day of the ride. Register now at www.napervillerotaryride.com.
An assortment of healthful refreshments and beverages will be served at SAG stops along the route as well as at Commissioners Park.
Above / Cyclists sign up early in the morning for a choice of routes in Rotary Ride. (PN File Photo)
According to Benton, sponsorship commitments by July 20 ($250, $500 and $750) are available that will include your business logo or name on ride-shirts, news releases and this website. Your own company banner can be placed at the Rotary Ride start and finish.
For questions and inquiries, email Benton at pat.benton@gmail.com or call (630) 989-1833.
Established by the Rotary Club of Naperville / Sunrise in 1997, Rotary Ride is being organized this year by the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown.
The ride now is held to celebrate the memory of Carmen DiGiovine, an avid cyclist, community leader and local business owner. DiGiovine, a founding member of Rotary / Sunrise, also served to initiate the first bike ride fundraiser when it was organized 18 years ago.
Why Rotary Ride?
Proceeds will benefit Naperville Responds for Our Veterans, Naperville CARES and End Polio Now.
Naperville Responds For Our Veterans assists Veterans and their families in need by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor and coordinates the process of repairing, building and donating homes.
Naperville CARES is a volunteer-driven organization that helps local families in financial crisis meet their essential needs by providing emergency financial support and resources.
End Polio Now, a Rotary International Charity, makes a global impact to protect children against polio forever. For as little as $0.60, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. In addition, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches every dollar that is raised through Rotary International Charities to eradicate polio.
The Rotary Ride Committee is grateful to early sponsors, including DiGiovine, Hnilo, Jordan and Johnson, Ltd.; Jane DiGiovine; Friedrich Jones Funeral Home; First Community Financial Bank; Esser Hayes Insurance Group; Naperville Bank & Trust; Fair Oaks Ford-Lincoln Naperville; Kathy and Will Gillett; Nyberg & Cassioppi, LLC; Quigley’s Irish Pub; Gerald Auto Group; Janor Sports, Ryan Hill Realty and Casey’s Foods.
Above / At Commissioners Park, cyclists will find a bike check when they register to be sure vehicles are ready to hit the road. Early registrants also will be assured a commemorative 2015 Rotary Ride shirt. (PN File Photo)
In support of Rotary Ride and its designated charities, individuals unable to attend also may contribute much appreciated donations of any size. Simply send to Rotary Ride, c/o Rotary Club of Naperville-Downtown, P.O. Box 60567, Naperville, IL 60567.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown, one of three Rotary Clubs in Naperville, visit www.rcndowntown.com.
