Last Friday's national Ride to Work Day, charity-driven and coordinated by the League of American Bicyclists, had at least two enthusiastic CEOs, one from Illinois and the other Virginia.
"I did stay off the main streets and had to dodge a few school buses but it turned out to be a great seven-mile ride and I was glad to raise $1,500 for a local charity sending kids to summer camp," said Michael Rosek, president/CEO of the $80 million Rock Valley CU in Loves Park, Ill. Riding separately from her home was Rock Valley's Kim Summers, teller supervisor.
And in Virginia Beach, Ron Burniske, president/CEO of the $1.9 billion Chartway FCU, biked a full 100 miles as part of the event. An avid biker, he often hops on at 5 a.m. and "frequently grins and bears it during chilly months," noted Heidi Worker, corporate communications director for Chartway.
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She said the 71 of the credit union's employees participated in Bike to Work Day.
In all, Chartway said it raised $7,100 to benefit the We Promise Foundation. "A total of 100% of the proceeds will help make dreams come true for children battling life-threatening illnesses in the communities we serve," the credit union said in a statement.
At Rock Valley, Rosek said funds pledged from his morning and return home rides have been directed to Milestone, a Rockford-area group helping disadvantaged youngsters. The Rock Valley funds combined with a Blue Jeans Friday will pay expenses for 15 youngsters at summer camp, said Rosek.
The League of American Bicyclists said it had no statistics on the number of credit unions or other businesses that took part in Bike to Work Day on Friday or National Bike Month but said local chapters have been conducting fund-raising events all during the month. Each local group charts its own charitable campaigns and timetable of riding days.
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