Cyclists donate money to Morris County rescue squads

By Minhaj Hassan

Daily Record

August 1, 2009

Fourteen volunteer first aid squads each received a $1,000 check, thanks to a fundraising bike tour that took place in June.
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The Ramble Riders bike ride was organized by the Morris Area Freewheelers and took place on June 13. It consisted of four tours, each covering a different distance -- 62 miles, 42 miles, 25 miles and 12 miles.

The tours started at Drew University in Madison. After they met, bike riders rode through 14 municipalities, and it was the first aid squads in those towns that received the checks.

Some 554 participants rode in the event.

"This went through the roof," said Brad Nelson, who sits on the board of directors. "It was very successful."

The town squads that received funds include the Chatham Emergency Squad, Chester First Aid Squad, Basking Ridge First Aid Squad, Far Hills-Bedminster First Aid Squad, Liberty Corner First Aid Squad, Long Hill First Aid Squad, Madison Volunteer First Aid Squad, Mendham Borough First Aid Squad, Mendham Township First Aid Squad, Morris MinuteMen First Aid Squad, Morristown Ambulance Squad, New Vernon Volunteer First Aid Squad, Peapack-Gladstone First Aid Squad, and Tewksbury First Aid Squad.

The idea for the fundraising bike ride came about after the state cut funding for training provided to emergency medical technicians.

The ride, he said, was intended to raise awareness about volunteering and to raise money for the different groups.

He said many of the officials from the various squads were amazed they received checks.

"They were just all blown away," he said. "One woman said she could now buy a critical piece of equipment that her squad didn't have."

He said the ride will be an annual event, given the success of the first one.

"We had to stop taking registrations because there were so many people interested," he said.