For 11 years, the annual “Pedal for Promise” bike ride has brought cyclists together to raise money for UrbanPromise in Camden.
Once again this year, Tabernacle will play its part in the ride as the fundraiser will begin and end its tour through the roads of Burlington County at Tabernacle’s Olson Middle School on May 14.
With summer camps, after-school programs, job training and a multitude of other programs, UrbanPromise works to give Camden’s children and young adults skills needed for academic achievement, spiritual growth and general life management.
Founded in 1988, Urban promise started with a budget of just $12,000 and an almost all-volunteer staff. Since that time, the organization has grown to more than 55 full-time employees, and the group has almost become the largest private employer of teens in Camden with nearly 100 young adults on payroll every year.
UrbanPromise has also grown to include an elementary/middle school and alternative high school, and in the last five years, 100 percent of UrbanPromise seniors have graduated high school and 90 percent have gone to college.
Much of that growth has come from the efforts of volunteers and fundraising efforts such as the Pedal for Promise ride, and so this year Urban Promise is hoping participation in the race will reach nearly 600 cyclists and achieve a fundraising goal $150,000.
As in the past, the event will offer several mileage options for riders of all ages and skill levels over the same course, from 15 miles, to 30 miles, to 42 miles to even the metric century route (about 62 miles).
For those who decide to take the ride, the event offers stocked rest stops, EMT support, lunch at the finish and other fundraising incentives.
The event will also feature a support and gear vehicle to follow cyclists and provide them with additional support when needed.
This year’s event will begin and end at Kenneth R. Olson Middle School, 132 New Road on May 14. Check-in or registration will open at 7:30 a.m., with the ride itself starting at 8:30 a.m. The registration cost for adults is set at $50, with a lower cost for youth riders at $35.
For those who are not able to ride but still wish to support the event, there is also the option to support an individual rider or donate directly.
Those interested in learning more or signing up for the race can visit www.urbanpromiseusa.org/pedal.
On the site are route maps as currently drawn, and final maps will be available on the day of the ride to reflect any change in road conditions or road closures.
