Bike-A-Thon To Benefit St. Jude's Set for May 20

A St. Jude's Bike-A-Thon will be Sunday, May 20, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Forest Lane on Island Eight in Cedarville. Cathy Nordquist is this year's volunteer coordinator, and she can be contacted for more information or to make pledges.

Children ride a designated Bike-A-Thon route as many times as they can to raise money. Participants in this year's event will ride back and forth on a milelong course of Forest Lane, which will be closed to traffic.

Last year's ride was in Hessel, but Mrs. Nordquist said the new location is quieter and has far less traffic, so it should be safer for the riders. Last year the ride had about 20 participants.

Participants collect pledges to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Pledges can be for each mile or each lap a participant complete, or can be straight donations to the cause.

Prizes and gift certificates will be awarded to participants who raise the most money and who meet other goals.

Money raised by the event will help fund research on diseases like cancer, AIDS, and sickle cell anemia. St. Jude's Hospital is an internationally recognized facility known for its pioneering work in finding cures for and saving children with catastrophic diseases. The hospital was founded by the late entertainer, Danny Thomas, and is based in Memphis, Tennessee. Families who seek treatment at the hospital do not pay for treatments not covered by insurance.

Participants in the Sunday Bike-A-Thon are required to wear bicycle helmets, and Mrs. Nordquist plans to have extra helmets available.

If the event is canceled because of inclement weather, it will be rescheduled for Sunday, May 27.

Call Mrs. Nordquist at (906) 484-3187 to register for the Bike- A-Thon or make a donation.