Rodman Ride Raises More Than $173,000 for Critical Children’s Services at May Institute

Thanks to the combined efforts of our employees, Board of Trustee members, business partners, corporate sponsors, and friends, May Institute recently received more than $173,000 from the 2009 Rodman Ride for Kids to help meet the needs of children with autism spectrum disorders, brain injury, and other special needs.

On a beautiful Saturday last fall, 15 teams of May Institute riders rode a total of 1,975 miles in the 19th annual Rodman Ride for Kids, an umbrella matching gift charity. This was the Institute’s third year of participation as an “affiliated agency” in this extraordinary fundraising event in Massachusetts.

Among this year’s distinguished group of riders were May Institute staff, Board of Trustee members, business partners, parents, and friends. A special thanks to board members Jory Berkwits and Robert Yelton for joining us as enthusiastic riders, and to fellow board members Neal Todrys, Steve Young, and Catherine Crone Coburn for supporting our team as “virtual” riders.

To help in our fundraising efforts, May staff members from a variety of our children’s programs formed teams that conducted letter-writing campaigns to friends, neighbors, and families. They also held unique fundraising events such as a full clam boil, bingo night, and an arts and music “jubilee” to engage the community and showcase the talents of their students.

With strong support from May Institute’s corporate sponsors including Stephen H. Peck & Associates/UBS ($30,000); Merrill Lynch, sponsor of Team Merrill Lynch ($5,700); and Todson, Inc., sponsor of Team Todson ($5,000), we exceeded our $150,000 goal for 2009. That success earned the Institute another $22,665 from the Ride for Kids organization a 15 percent match for every dollar we raised.

“One hundred percent of these funds will directly benefit the estimated 16,000 children in New England who receive services from May Institute,” said Heidi Howard, M.P.A., Chief of Business Development. “We are extremely grateful to the Rodman Ride for helping us make a difference in the lives of the children we serve.”

Programs, events, and new materials that will be funded with money raised through the Rodman Ride for Kids include:

• Equipment to improve motor skills, classroom materials, and educational games and books for May Center schools for students with ASD, brain injury, and other special needs
• Classroom enhancements for May Center schools, such as furniture, iPods, a Wii, and other electronics
• Student outings and enrichment activities such as music, art, and “Outdoor Exploration” programs for students with brain injury
• Equipment for a Gym Program that serves children with behavioral health challenges
• Supplies for outpatient services and school-based counseling initiatives

About the Rodman Ride
The Rodman Ride for Kids is an umbrella matching gift charity that raises funds for a wide variety of children’s social service agencies across Massachusetts. The Ride for Kids and its affiliated agencies fundraise throughout the year. These efforts culminate each fall with the event itself – a 25-, 50-, or 100-mile non-competitive cycling tour. Since its inception in 1991, the Ride for Kids has raised over $44 million for youth-focused social service agencies in the state.