12th Annual Ride for Missing Children is Underway

Tools

12th Annual Ride for Missing Children is Underway

By JOLEEN FERRIS

Friday is the 12th Annual Ride for Missing Children. It began in honor of Sara Ann Wood - the 12-year-old Litchfield girl who disappeared in 1993.

Sara was never found, but thanks to the ride created in her honor, hundreds of missing children have been recovered. It's hard to believe the ride began with only 43 riders back in 1997. Now, it has grown to more than 400 riders.

Twelve years into the ride, it is still awe-inspiring to see that two-mile stretch of bikes. The riders are stopping or driving by 17 local schools, and that's what the ride is really all about.

We've seen children snatched from stores, their own front yards, even their own bedrooms. This ride is about giving children the knowledge they need to keep themselves safe. The ride chairman hopes that wrapping the message in such a spectacular package will help it stick.

In addition to raising awareness, riders today are raising posters; each 25 cents they raise will buy a poster featuring a missing child. And each rider raises $500 to take part in the ride - so that's a lot of posters!

It all wraps up at the New Hartford Rec Center. The riders are expected there around 6:45 Friday night, where there will be a reception for them.

Friday, May 16 at 1:43 PM Amy wrote ...

I was a friend of Sara's and think this ride is a great thing. She was a fun and caring young teen and she is truly missed. Thank you to all the riders and God Bless you.

Flag for moderation

Friday, May 16 at 1:43 PM ThankS wrote ...

You all look great! Thanks for everything, and it correct and complete. Thanks again!

Flag for moderation

Friday, May 16 at 10:41 AM Donna wrote ...

Thanks to all the riders and people who are involed with this wonderful event. I support you in all the awareness that you do. Good Luck and Stay Safe all day. Your willness to do this does bring to light that we have a lot of our children missing. Again a Big Thank You.

Flag for moderation

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

NBC-WKTV News Channel 2 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Weather On Demand

Weather Radar
Icon
Current Temp 71 °F
Fair
Wind : From the Southeast at 6 MPH
Humidity : 63 %
Pressure : 30.09" (1018.8 mb) in.
Wind Chill : NA °F
More Weather

On Demand

AP Video

Stock Quotes

Permanent Client link holder

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On

7.30
the olympic zone
8.00
beijing olympic games

Viewer Poll

Are you going to the New York State Fair?

  • Yes, I'm going for a concert
  • Yes, I'm going for the exhibits
  • Yes, I'm going for the food
  • Yes, I'm going as a vendor or exhibitor
  • Yes, for more than one of the above
  • No, I am not going