A group of local residents is getting ready to hit the pavement in a 52.5-mile in-line skating trip, raising money to help in the fight against cancer.
In the third annual Shore For A Cure, in-line skaters and bikers will come together for a ride from Moorestown to Long Beach Island, making the long trip to raise money for Camp No Worries and the LIVESTRONG Foundation. Their journey will commence on July 22, but first there is a fundraiser to help raise money for the organizations. The fundraiser will take place on July 18 at Dooney’s Pub in Delran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“We have lost enough people and know enough strong-willed people who are more than worthy of receiving the help they deserve. By doing this skate, we can promote awareness of the importance of physical activity and staying fit, while raising money to help cure the second-biggest cause of death,” Chaz Briggs said.
Shore For A Cure was started by Moorestown residents Briggs, Tyler Woyshner, Bryan Rudolph and Corey Pederson. The men all knew each other from Moorestown High School as well as from their Moorestown roller hockey league. They first came together to
do the in-line skate trip just for fun, as Woyshner’s father, who would bike the 52.5 miles each year, inspired them to try it.
“Since we are playing hockey we always try to test our limits. We’d never done long distance, so we thought we would give it a try,” Briggs said.
Since then, they felt that because the journey was so strenuous they wanted to make it worth doing each year so the men decided to raise money for charity.
“We thought, if we were doing something crazy like that, why not do it for something good?” Woyshner said.
They were really pushed by Briggs’ aunt Vick Hynes, who got Briggs into volunteering for Camp No Worries, and motivated the guys to get the ball rolling on their annual fundraiser for the camp. Sadly, Hynes passed away from cancer, which inspired the group to raise money for the LIVESTRONG Foundation as well.
Camp No Worries is a summer camp created solely to give children with cancer and their siblings an opportunity to relax, enjoy themselves and forget about their worries for one week every summer. The LIVESTRONG Foundation is a nonprofit that provides support for people affected by cancer of all kinds.
“(Volunteering for the camp) was the most rewarding volunteer experience I have ever had. I felt like, if I can’t be there (as I have a full-time job now), then I might as well raise money for them,” Briggs said.
This year the group has grown, with about 10 skaters and 11 bicyclists participating. They will set off from Woyshner’s house for the approximate four-hour journey on Friday, July 22, with the bicyclists leaving about an hour after, as they are faster. They take back roads for the most part, before getting on Route 72 to LBI and crossing the bridge.
“(I’m looking forward to) the end when everyone is kind of pooped, but excited to hang out, be done and see all of the money raised. Everyone coming together is really cool to see,” Woyshner said.
Woyshner and Briggs said the ride is difficult, especially with the hills, but they have the support of their family and friends and motivation of raising money for cancer services to keep them moving. It also helps that the skaters make stops for drinks and fruits provided by the Pederson family and a mid-way stop at Hot Diggity Dog! in Sewell.
“You think about why you’re doing (the skate). Thinking of those who are suffering, you do this for them. We fight through the pain like they fight through the pain,” Woyshner said. “That and with the support of family and friends, everyone around you, and the adrenaline, it pushes you to where you need to be.”
“It is a huge motivation to have people donating to something so near to us. It pushes us to make a difference and the world a better place,” Briggs said.
Last year, Shore For A Cure raised a little more than $3,000. This year, the group is hoping to raise $4,000. They have a donation page at gofundme.com/shore foracure3 where they hope people will donate. Any amount is appreciated and funds will be donated 50/50 for Camp No Worries and the LIVESTRONG Foundation.
“Any monetary donation is extremely generous of you and we all thank you so much for giving to people that are less fortunate or just need some help,” Briggs said.
Also to help raise money is the fundraiser on July 18. For $20 a ticket, those who attend will get unlimited wings and a Chinese auction at Dooney’s Pub. Shirts will also be sold during the fundraiser, with short sleeves at $12 and long sleeves $15. Dooney’s Pub is located at 1361 Fairview Blvd. in Delran. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
To learn more about Shore For A Cure, visit www.facebook.com/ ShoreForACure/. To take part in the skate, message the page on Facebook or email Briggs at [email protected].
