On Jun. 30, the Stony Brook University Medical Center (SBUMC) along with the Suffolk Bike Riders Association (SBRA) will host a 100-mile bicycle ride to raise money for the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk County (VIBS). In its third year, the charity bike ride, ‘100 Miles to a Safer Home,’ will work to support special counseling programs for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
VIBS, established in 1976, is a support initiative that provides programs and services to battered and abused individuals. This not-for-profit organization, according to its website, offers help for the elderly, raped and sexually abused individuals, victims of domestic abuse, as well as for children in homes where domestic abuse takes place.
According to the Suffolk Country Police Department, nearly 80 cases of domestic violence are reported daily. The need for intervention programs is dire, and the ‘100 Miles to a Safer Home,’ will attempt to raise money for that effort. The money raised by this event will go directly to VIBS.
This year’s bike ride will be organized by Stony Brook University Medical School fourth year students, Richard Hong, Simon Tanksley and Alexander Ortiz. In years past, the race has been available to only SBUMC employees and students. This year, according to Hong, will be the first year that the VIBS bike ride will open to the whole Stony Brook community. 20 individuals have already pledged their support of VIBS and will ride on Jun. 30.
‘We are hoping to attract more riders, as many as we can, to better accommodate our fundraising goals,’ says Hong. In its first and second years, the bike ride raised $2500 and $1500, respectively.
One need not be an avid cyclist or marathon runner to participate in the bike ride. ‘With enough training, anyone can do it,’ explains Hong. The informational packet for this event, found at the VIBS website, includes a guide for slowly building endurance in preparation for the ride.
Participants must pledge at least 300 dollars to be eligible for the bike ride. Only individuals over the age of 16, with parental consent, can ride. Suggestions for raising money for the VIBS organization include ‘[asking] parents, family and friends,’ according to Hong, or approaching ‘different medical departments at hospitals or obtaining sponsorships from local businesses.’
Beginning at SBUMC, the bike ride will extend to Greenport and back to complete 100 miles. Riders will meet at 7am on Jun. 30 at the South P parking lot. The ride, according to Hong, should be ‘relaxing and enjoyable, passing through the back roads and the wine country.’ Depending on the number of participants, the ride takes about ten hours to complete. T-shirts and refreshments will be provided for the riders at predetermined spots along the course of the ride.
Interested individuals should visit the VIBS website, www.vibs.org, or contact one of the organizers for more information on how to join the effort.
