UTICA, N.Y. — The 27th annual Ride for Missing Children-CNY takes place Friday to bring hope and awareness of the plight of missing and exploited children.
The ride begins at 7:50 a.m. at Sauquoit Valley Elementary school and travels 83 miles with stops at several schools throughout the region. The goal of the event is to meet with students and bring a message of safety. The ride ends at Sauquoit Valley High School.
The event is the biggest annual fundraiser for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – NewYork/Mohawk Valley branch. The funds raised are used to educate children in schools about internet safety and to raise awareness and distribute digital posters.
The ride got its start when a group of seven men rode their bicycles from Utica to Washington, D.C. in 1995 for Sara’s Ride in honor of Sara Ann Wood. Two years later, a group of 43 riders rode from Albany to Utica, establishing the first Ride for Missing Children.
Over the past 27 years, the ride has grown to include hundreds of riders and volunteers, dozens of family members of missing children, and thousands of spectators and supporters. Each rider pledges to raise at least $300 to support poster distribution and community education.