Some local kids are planning on riding their way about downtown Augusta in the coming weeks, both for the sport and for the cause of curing cancer, and they’ve just gotten the bikes to do it with.
Paceline, the fundraising organization for the Georgia Cancer Center, partnered with Southern Nuclear to donate 10 new bicycles and helmets to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta.
“We’re trying to encourage a great activity for kids to get into,” said Paceline president Martyn Jones. “Give them the tools to do it, whilst also encouraging them to take part in some truly inspirational experiences for them and the community.”
The Southern Nuclear Diversity, Equity & Inclusion program sponsored the contribution to the Boys and Girls Club. On Friday afternoon, volunteers from Southern Nuclear visited the HUB of Community Innovation, where they then built the new bikes to present to the young riders.
Roberta Patterson, human resources project director at Southern Nuclear’s Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4, is also the captain of Paceline team “1Vogtle,” and helped coordinate the effort.
She and Jones approached Kim Evans, president and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, a month ago with the concept.
“We’re always looking for ways for our kids to be introduced to different sports,” said Evans. “Something that they can do to maintain a healthy lifestyle, throughout their lifetimes really, healthy lifestyles being one of our primary outcome areas.”
The bicycles will also be ready for young riders, some as young as age 10, to participate in the third annual PaceDay, Paceline’s non-competitive cycling event to raise funds for research at the cancer center.
“In three weeks’ time the youth from the Boys and Girls Clubs will be paddling out help cure cancer faster,” said Jones.
The nonprofit has added a new route this year called the “Cyber City Circuit.” Designed for novice cyclists, the circuit is a one-mile loop around downtown, beginning at the Augusta Commons.
Demario Wallace, 15, a T.W. Josey High School sophomore, is one of the students at the Boys and Girls Club introduced to cycling as part of the collaborative initiative.
“I didn’t know cycling was a sport,” said Wallace, no stranger to athletics, who will be riding alongside younger participants on PaceDay. “But I feel like I’m going to have a lot of fun with it and learn a lot more.”
“Sadly, cancer affects all ages,” Jones said about how initiatives like the cooperation between Paceline, Boys and Girls Club and Southern Nuclear help raise awareness among young people. “They can help prevent these things through better lifestyles. Good for the head, good for the body.”
PaceDay will be on Sunday, Oct. 16, starting at the Augusta Common at 10 a.m. and will go until 2 p.m. For more information, visit https://fundraise.pacelineride.org/.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
