Babson Student Bikes 600 Miles to Support Youth Health and Wellness
Babson Undergraduate Student AJ Maestas ’17 is riding 600 miles in DREAMRIDE2 in Plymouth, MA. Along with Plymouth students, current and former elected officials, local officials from neighboring towns, and citizens Maestas will bike the course of the first DREAMRIDE in 2011, from Washington DC to Plymouth, Mass. The ride is aiming to raise $100,000 in funds and share a health and wellness message with elementary school students.
DREAMRIDE is spearheaded by Plymouth Superintendent Gary Maestras, father of AJ Maestas. Superintendent Maestras is taking his learnings from the first ride five years ago and creating a bigger and better ride this year.
>> See AJ speak about the ride
The DREAMRIDE2 pledge is as follows: When faced with a difficult situation, I will stop and think carefully about my options. I pledge to make decisions that will keep me strong, healthy, and happy, both now and in the years to come.
There will be a drawing to give away Specialized brand bicycles to a student at every Plymouth elementary school as well as at schools the DREAMRIDE2 Team will be stopping at along the route. To be eligible for the drawing, students must take the DREAMRIDE Pledge (writing their name on a Pledge Card and submitting it to their teacher).
The DREAMRIDE will be stopping at the following schools and YMCAs: Walter & Betty Ward Family Center Y in Abingdon, MD on June 6; William B. Keene Elementary School in Newark, DE on June 7; Christian Street Y in Philadelphia, PA on June 8; Greater Morristown YMCA in Cedar Knolls, NJ on June 9; Thomas Jefferson School in Morristown, NJ on June 10; Veterans Park Elementary School, in Ridgefield, CT also on June 10; and the South Shore YMCAs in both Quincy and Hanover, MA on June 12.
The community is encouraged to donate any used bicycles to the final rally at Plymouth North High School on June 12. The donated bicycles will be given to riders in developing countries.
Proceeds from DREAMRIDE2 will go directly to the Plymouth Education Foundation, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation that solicits, manages, and distributes funds for educational purposes and activities that may not otherwise be funded. Monies raised by the DREAMRIDE2 will help fund health and wellness programs for students in the Plymouth School District.