Community Corner
DuPage Organization Plans 360-Mile Bike Ride to Stop Child Abuse
The Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois hopes to raise $150,000 during a six-day bike ride along Route 66 in October.
Written by Amanda Luevano
The Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois, including the DuPage County branch, are seeking participants for inaugural "Stop the Cycle of Abuse Ride."
The six-day, 360-mile ride will take place Oct. 16-21 along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The event aims to raise funds and awareness for the work done to combat sexual and physical abuse of children.
"We are very excited to be part of the Stop the Cycle of Abuse Ride,'" DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a press release. "Since opening our doors in 1987, the DuPage County Children's Advocacy Center has served more than 6,000 child victims. These young victims need our help, comfort and support, sometimes for years after the abuse has occurred."
"This event is a tremendous way for all of us to get involved and do our part in protecting our must vulnerable and innocent population—our children," Berlin said.
Riders will start at the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County in Hoffman Estates on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The ride will conclude at the St. Louis Charter School in St. Louis, MO, on Monday, Oct. 21, where more than 1,000 students and teachers will rally to greet participants as they finish the event.
Avid cyclists and occasional riders are encouraged to register as individuals or part of a team. The event, presented in six segments, will have riders biking 60 miles each day, stopping in Joliet, Bloomington, Pontiac, Springfield, Staunton, and St. Louis.
Registration is $25 per rider before Aug. 1, and $35 after. Once registered, participants may begin fundraising.
Each rider may choose to bike as many of the six stages as they want, each stage requiring a minimum of $200 in pieces or donations. Riders who participate in all six stages must raise a minimum of $1,000.
Organizers hope the event will raise $150,000 to support the programs and services provided by the 39 Child Advocacy Centers across Illinois.
Register for the event.
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