Scores of local bicyclists recently turned out for the first annual Optimist Bike Ride to Benefit Childhood Cancer in South Brunswick.
Local resident Scott Pinheiro is a member of the Monroe and South Brunswick chapter of the Optimist International club, as well as Mothers Against Drunk Driving. He formed the local chapter of Optimist International along with fellow volunteers last year.
Pinheiro was inspired to help MADD after the death of his daughter, Kylie, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2007. He has been volunteering with the Optimist International organization for roughly 15 years.
Pinheiro said that there were several different bike rides ranging from 5 to 40 miles in distance for the 60 participants at Optimist International’s most recent event, which was held at Reichler Park in Monmouth Junction June 28.
“I think we had a great turnout, a great day if you will,” he said. “Weather-wise it was terrific.”
Pinheiro is going to take over the role of governor of the club’s Atlantic central district in October. He is going to oversee the 70 Optimist International clubs and the 3,000 members in the region.
He helped coordinate an upcoming event for Optimist International, which has chapters throughout the world. The club’s Atlantic central district is sponsoring a trip for 55 underprivileged children to go to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania on Aug. 21 and 22, he said.
Pinheiro said that proceeds from the recent bicycling event would go toward a nonprofit organization that uses funds from local activist clubs like Optimist International to send children on camping trips.
“I don’t know how much we raised, but I’m sure it was in excess of $1,000,” he said. “That money will go to Camp Quality New Jersey as part of the Optimist club’s commitment to the childhood cancer campaign. Camp Quality is a weeklong camping experience for children afflicted with cancer. It takes place in Blairstown, New Jersey.”
Paul Costagliola, who is a member of the local chapter of Optimist International, organized the recent bicycling event. The Kendall Park resident will be the local chapter’s president in September.
Costagliola said that some of the people who are drawn to the causes of childhood cancer or anti-drunk driving advocacy have personal experiences that inspire them, such as Pinheiro and a woman who Costagliola said he met at the event who lost her daughter to cancer 13 years ago.
“The fact that we were targeting funds to benefit childhood cancer really seems to resonate with a lot of folks,” Costagliola said. “It was a cause that a lot of people identified with, indirectly and directly… Certainly it’s a cause that a lot of people really gravitate toward.”
Optimist International held its first fundraiser in February, Costagliola said, hosting a night of comedy with local entertainers. He said that the club has also held a smaller event for three-on-three basketball since then.
Costagliola said that the club advertised and promoted the latest event, but pre-registration was low. Despite that, the event was well attended by club members, as well as families and children.
“It was our first year and we didn’t know what to expect,” Costagliola said. “Pre-registration was very small. There were 60 riders at the end of the day, which is very respectable for a first year venture. It’s certainly a base we can build upon next year.”
Costagliola is an avid cyclist who rides with friends from the Princeton Freewheelers bicycle club. Costagliola hopes to emulate the success of the Franklin Township Food Bank’s own biking event, which is attended by 400 riders after 20 years of operation.
“It takes time to build an event like that in terms of participation,” Costagliola said. “It was a good first year event. We had plenty of food and live music.”
Costagliola said that the Optimist Club is planning to hold the next bicycling event in early June 2010 in light of the event’s success at drawing interest in the organization.
“The exposure it gave our Optimist Club is hard to put a price on,” Costagliola said.
Costagliola thanked the volunteers and participants, saying that people pitched in to organize the rides and ensure that the event went smoothly.
“Everybody came together from set up to clean up,” Costagliola said. “It really was a great team effort.”
Costagliola said that those interested in learning more about Optimist International can contact John Maffei at 732-438-8930 or visit www.optimist.org.