Joe and Dorothy Dutko have been opening up their house to host the Anchor House riders for about 15 years, and this year was no different. Colorful shirts hung like flags across the front of the property to identify the location of the Dutko house looked very much like welcome signs.
By Rosalie Ann LaGrutta
The weather cooperated as approximately 171 Anchor House riders and 30 members of their support crew cycled to the home of Joe and Dorothy Dutko of West Delaware Avenue, Hopewell Township, on Saturday.
This was the next-to-last-stop for the riders of the one-week 500-mile Ride for Runaways held each year for Anchor House, a shelter in Trenton for runaway children.
By the time the riders reached their final stop, Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence, $385,000 had been raised for the cause, but more donations are expected, said an Anchor House spokesman.
With some help from daughters Marcie Van Hise of Titusville and Suzanne Stout of Hopewell, Joe and Dorothy Dutko have been opening up their house to host the Anchor House riders for about 15 years, and this year was no different. Colorful shirts hung like flags across the front of the property to identify the location of the Dutko house looked very much like welcome signs.
Mr. Dutko said it was when their daughter, Carol, who now lives in Vermont, went on a ride in 1990 that they decided to have a welcome stop for the riders.
"Last year was the only year we missed. We weren’t able to do it last year," said Mr. Dutko.
This year marked the 25th anniversary of Anchor House. The ride started in Somerset, Pa., and during that first day, the riders rode to Shanksville, the site where Flight 93 went down on 9/11. The ride was very aptly called "let’s roll," the words used by pilot Todd Beamer on that fateful day in September 2001. Before continuing on their way, the riders attended a memorial service in a chapel and another at the site of the crash.
There are many different reasons why all of these riders make this annual trip for Anchor House, but no matter what the original reason was, it becomes a ride to help children (and families) in need.
First-time rider Ed Conjura of Titusville who was there with his daughter, Emily, a HoVal graduate said he had been sponsoring Anchor House riders for years.
"And then a friend of Emily’s talked her into joining the ride and Emily talked me into it," said Mr. Conjura. Mr. Conjura said he enjoys the ride and the camaraderie, but "since Emily now lives in Colorado, the ride also gives me a chance to spend time with her."
Dewayne Tolbert, president of the Anchor House board of trustees and a rider for the past eight years, said Anchor House has grown considerably over the years.
"Anchor House, located in Trenton, has branched out since its early days. Some of the additional programs include school outreach, transitional living, violence prevention, street outreach," said Mr. Tolbert.
"Twenty-five to 30 percent of funding for Anchor House is provided by the annual bike ride. Without funds raised from the annual ride, Anchor House would have to close its doors," said Mr. Tolbert.
The riders come from near and far to participate and reasons for joining the group are varied.
Tom Moore of Huntington, Md., said he was introduced to Anchor House by a friend who showed him an Anchor House video.
"At that time," said Mr. Moore, "I was looking for ways to get back in shape and used the ride as an excuse to do that." This is his second year, riding for Anchor House, and he plans to do it every year.
The annual ride is sometimes a family affair for Bill Ward, a retired Hamilton policeman who is now in his 11th year of riding. His son introduced him to the annual event.
"One year," said Mr. Ward, "five of my family members made the ride. My daughter, Wendy Nuel, has done it for five years; Wendy’s husband, Rick, for two years; my son, Warren, for one year; my wife, Carol, for one year; and my granddaughter, Aubrey, for two years." Although he didn’t plan it this way, he said, "I celebrate my birthday every year while on the ride."
For the annual ride to be a success, the support team is key.
Leroy Harms of Hopewell Township, support team coordinator for the ride, made this year’s trip with sons, Bruce, who was with the support crew, and Trevor, who was a cyclist. As support team coordinator, Mr. Harms is responsible for planning the stops along the way three stops a day and obtaining permission to stop at specific locations for food and beverages and a brief respite. So planning for a bike-a-thon actually starts months in advance of the ride. Mr. Harms recalled the ride in 1988 when "there were only 56 riders."
"During every ride," he said, "the support team uses white Rover vehicles to help pace riders, make repairs to bicycles, or pick up a rider" (if one should take ill).
Tim Quinn of Princeton, co-chairman of the Ride Committee, has been involved for 12 years; this was his 11th ride. Each year, starting in September, he helps to plan the ride and select the route the riders will take in the coming year.
Pennington resident Chris Kunkel has been riding for seven years. "My friend, Doug McCune, got me started," said Mr. Kunkel. This year, Mr. Kunkel set out for the ride from his home in Pennington. "Next year, I’ll be leaving from my home in Hopewell Township," said Mr. Kunkel. "We bought a house right before the trip started," he said.
Bob Stover, a lifelong resident of Pennington, has been riding for three years. "I knew some people who were doing the weeklong ride and, at that time, I wanted to do a multiday ride," said Mr. Stover. "Originally I did it for the ride, but now I’m glad to be doing it for Anchor House," he said.
Jim Golis of Hopewell Township has been making the ride for 11 years; his son Jeremy, for seven. Mr. Golis said he does it for Anchor House, but "it is also part of the healing process for me." In 1998, while riding with his son, Cory, almost 16 years old at the time, an accident occurred at an intersection in Bedminster, Pa., Cory, a graduate of HoVal, "was struck by a minivan." Cory was killed instantly.
"When you lose a son or a daughter, it’s very hard," said Mr. Golis. After Cory’s death, the Anchor House Scholarship Fund was renamed, "The Cory Golis Scholarship Fund" in memory of Cory.
In addition to a $200,000 government grant, all funds raised for Anchor House are well spent.
William Hogan, president of the Anchor House Foundation as well as a rider with the support group, explained that the Cory Golis Scholarship Fund, for example, offers financial assistance to children who are in need.
"This year, we gave out six $1,000 scholarships and four $500 scholarships for school. Some kids living in the transition house have also received funds," Mr. Hogan said. "When I retired, I wanted to do some volunteer work, and a friend of mine suggested Anchor House. I enjoy spending time doing this more than anything else," he said.
Another of the many participants present on the Dutkos’ lawn was Hopewell resident, Rebecca "Becca" Grossman.
"My mom has been a rider for four years and a member of the support group for two. She showed me the Anchor House video and I was hooked. It’s such a worthy cause," Ms. Grossman said. "So my mother (Anne Grossman) became my training partner, and I rode with her in 2001."
And, William Fogler, a graduate of Hopewell Elementary School and HoVal, and now a chiropractor with an office in Village Square in Hopewell, is in his seventh year with Anchor House. "I did it originally because I was into fitness and health," he said, "but now I do it for the cause, and I’ll continue to ride."
Throughout the early afternoon, riders continued to arrive at the Dutkos’ house and by 2 p.m. there was quite a crowd. Some riders were relaxing on the front lawn; others were in the back eating, talking, and preparing for the last leg of their trip.
By about 3 p.m., the group was ready to leave en masse and head for the last stop, Quaker Bridge Mall until next year.
Anyone interested in making a donation or joining the riders next year can call The Anchor House Foundation at 278-9495 or send an e-mail to [email protected].