|

Anchor House Ride for Runaways raises $446,700 so far

They wore orange safety vests, huddled under tents and kept moving to try to stay warm. For 77 miles, the cyclists on the Anchor House Ride for Runaways pedaled in rain and fog on Friday, climbing 4,500 feet of hills along the way.

The fog lifted, but the rain never let up on one of the wettest day veteran Anchor House riders have ever encountered. Some years on the ride, it might rain for a few minutes or a few hours, but rarely has it rained all day.

After the journey from West Hazleton to Bethlehem, Pa., the cyclists dried off, then celebrated their accomplishments at the annual awards banquet.

The cyclists learned at the banquet that the 39th annual ride has raised $446,700 so far to support Anchor House, the Trenton-based shelter for runaway, abused and neglected children and teens. The goal for this year’s ride is to raise $500,000. Donations will continue to come in over the coming weeks.  Last year the ride raised more than $560,000, but the ride has fewer participants this year. The average rider raises about $2,000. You can still donate online by visiting the Ride for Runaways website. 

For the final day of the ride on Saturday, the cyclists will pedal 55 miles from Bethlehem to Pennington, where they will gather for a picnic at St. James Church before biking the last 10 miles to the Quaker Bridge Mall for a welcome home ceremony. The ceremony, which is open to the public, begins at 3 p.m. sharp in the center court of the mall.

Thirty-five of the cyclists received anniversary awards Friday night for their dedication to Anchor House, with five people celebrating their 25th ride anniversaries.

5 Years 
Laura Carlson  
Beth Caruso   
Phil Cooper  
Anthony Cowell 
Paul Currie  
Alex Jenkins 
Peter Macholdt  
Pat Pizzutillo  
Steven Preville 
Dave Robinson  
Dave Rosvold  
Liz Rosvold  
Deborah Shepherd  
Amy Wight Eckel  
 
10 years 
Ken Bitter  
Ken Carlson  
Stephanie Garnich  
Jack Hayon 
Carmen Lawler  
Mark Mazzone 
Marc Ostro  
 
15 years 
Bill Garrett 
Frank Kimchick  
David Meisberger  
Ted Millard  
Patty Mollis  
Gina Raimondo  
Barbara Tenney  
 
20 years 
Brian McLaughlin 
Bill Roessel  
 
25 years 
Steve Czelusniak  
John Murray  
Tim Quinn  
Paul Von der Heyden  
Bill Ward  
 
Day six ride photos by Jeanne Imbrigiotta.