Cycling fund-raiser to benefit camp scholarships

JEWISH FEDERATION of Greater MetroWest NJ will hold its second annual Tour de Summer Camps NJ on Sunday, Sept. 22. Proceeds of this community cycling and Family Fun Day event will make it possible for more children across Greater MetroWest NJ to attend Jewish summer camp through One Happy Camper grants and need-based scholarships. Last year’s inaugural ride raised more than $430,000.

“This is one of the biggest events of the year for our Greater MetroWest Jewish community,” said event co-chair Gary DeBode. “The bike ride is the perfect way for cyclists to come together to ride some beautiful routes and raise money for a great cause. And the Family Fun Day event is going to be a blast.”

The start and finish line, as well as the Family Fun Day activities, take place at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown.

Ride participants can choose from three fully supported routes — 18, 36, and 62 miles — on country roads in northern New Jersey. Cyclists will be joined by 12 riders from Israel, participants of the Cycling2Gether program with federation’s partnership community of Ofakim/Merchavim.

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The Family Fun Day event, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature an optional one-mile family-friendly bike ride, concert by Jewish rock star Rick Recht, kosher barbecue lunch, and lots of camp-led activities such as gaga, arts and crafts, inflatables, face painting, woodworking with Maplewoodshop, and a drumming program with Path to Rhythm. There will also be sensory resources available for children who need them.

“Tour de Summer Camps NJ was a great success last year, and we’re hoping to make it even larger and more special this year as it’s the 10th anniversary of our Greater MetroWest Jewish Camp Enterprise,” said Elisa Spungen Bildner, who, along with her husband, Rob, are sponsors of the event as well as founding donors and co-chairs of the Jewish Camp Enterprise in Greater Metro-West and founders of the North American Foundation for Jewish Camp. The Jewish Camp Enterprise was created to build awareness about Jewish summer camp and ensure that the greatest number of Greater MetroWest children have a life-changing summer experience.

The fee to participate in the bike ride is $95, $75 until Sept. 15. The cost
of Family Fun Day is $25 per person, $50 per family (up to five people); children under 3 and family members accompanying distance cyclists
are free.

To register or make a donation, visit tourdesummercampsnj.org. For additional information, contact Fara Gold at fgold@jfedgmw.org or
973-929-3179.