$1,000 'Rambles' Into Minutemen Coffers

Back in June the Morris Area Freewheelers passed through Morris Township on their annual Revolutionary Ramble Bicycle Tour, which raised money for local first aid squads. Last week, the Freewheelers' Foundation presented $1,000 to the Morris Minutemen, one of 18 squads to receive a donation from the tour proceeds.

“Squad volunteers offer an invaluable service to us, and to our community, with care and compassion,” said Jim Hunt, Morris Area Freewheelers Foundation Chair. 

“We hope the Club contribution will also lead to greater recognition of EMS services and the need for volunteers,” said Freewheelers Club President Jay Marowitz.

The awards were presented at the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps building. Checks were presented by Carl King, the Ramble ride director, and some of the 150 volunteers from the Morris Area Freewheelers Bicycle Club.

Squads chosen for donations included:

• Allamuchy-Green First Aid Squad
• Amwell Valley-Ringoes Rescue Squad
• Basking Ridge First Aid Squad
• Branchburg Rescue Squad
• Chatham Emergency Squad
• East Millstone First Aid Squad
• Far Hills - Bedminster First Aid Squad
• Jefferson Twp. Rescue Squad
• Liberty Corner First Aid squad
• Long Valley First Aid Squad
• Long Hill First Aid Squad
• Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps
• Mendham Borough First Aid Squad
• Mendham Twp. First Aid Squad
• Morris Minutemen
• New Vernon Volunteer First Aid Squad
• Peapack-Gladstone First Aid and Rescue Squad
• Tewksbury First Aid and Rescue Squad.

Among the speakers at the event were:

• Dr. Louis Difazio, Head of Trauma Surgery, Morristown Medical Center 
• Steven C. Alderson, Director, Business Development, Morristown Medical Center. 
• Bob Landrigan, President of the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, spoke on behalf of the host squad and the other squad attendees.

The Morris Area Freewheelers Foundation (MAFF) describes itself as "an all-volunteer group working to educate cyclists and motorists alike about their responsibilities through event rides, bike clinics, cooperative projects with local police departments and emergency squads, and other educational programs." It is the charitable arm of the Morris Area Freewheelers Bicycle Club. The Ramble’s sponsors included Atlantic Health, Cycle Craft, PowerBar, High Gear Cyclery, Marty’s Reliable Cycle, Planet Fitness, REI and Bikeland II.  The Ramble received additional support from Bayer Consumer Care,  RoadID, Anthony & Sons Bakery and a long list of donors.