We Hiked and Biked for Family Promise!

The 23rd Annual Family Promise Hike or Bike was held on Sunday, May 1st at Van Neste Square in Ridgewood. Despite a rainy, chilly day, more than 150 hikers, bikers, sponsors and volunteers came out to support Family Promise of Bergen County! Together, we raised funds for Family Promise’s programs serving homeless working families. It was a great day! Thank you to everyone who joined us!

The 2016 Hike or Bike was sponsored by Inserra Shop Rite Supermarkets, SUEZ, TD Bank, Visions Federal Credit Union and Freedom Bank. Representatives from each company joined us at the event and provided giveaways to the participants. Many other local businesses generously donated products and services. Thank you!

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, the hikers, bikers and definitely the children were kept well fed, happy and safe! Family Promise’s Youth Council teen volunteers and other volunteers served hearty sandwiches donated by Inserra Shop Rite, made and served cotton candy, provided crafts and activities for kids, handed out t-shirts and so much more. Volunteers also made freshly popped popcorn, led our hikers and bikers in pre-ride/hike stretches and were ride marshals keeping our riders safe on the bike ride.  DJ Scott Reddin was there all afternoon providing non-stop music and fun games. The Hike or Trike for kids under 5 was rained out, but we will try again next year!

Thank you most of all to all of our hikers and bikers, who registered and asked friends and family to support their participation in the Hike or Bike with a donation to Family Promise. Our Top Individual Fundraiser was Anthony Esposito, who is a young man who has been involved with the Hike or Bike for several years and volunteers for Family Promise through his congregation. Our Top Team Fundraiser was Team God Speed of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Teaneck, who has been participating in the Hike or Bike for more than 15 years. In their heyday Team God Speed was led by Adam Rosignolo, who as a teenager built the team and rallied them year after year. This year, as in the last few years, the team hikes or bikes in Adam’s memory.

The Hike or Bike was a great success and we look forward to next year!