ABOVE: SMART Ride 16 participants. Photo via the SMART Ride’s Facebook page.
Organizers of the 17th annual SMART Ride have announced that the HIV/AIDS fundraiser will proceed as scheduled Nov. 20-22 in a reimagined format, a response to COVID-19.
The SMART Ride has historically welcomed hundreds of cyclists to complete a 165-mile trek from Miami to Key West. It is the nation’s second largest AIDS bicycle ride and the only one of its size to donate the entirety of funds raised to service organizations.
Since its 2003 inception, participants have raised more than $11.8 million for beneficiaries in Florida. A record $1,325,427 was raised in 2019, 100% of which was distributed to Broward House in Wilton Manors, Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Centers in South Florida, Metro Inclusive Health in Tampa Bay, Pridelines in Miami-Dade County, AIDS Help in Monroe County, Miracle of Love in Central Florida and Compass Community Center in Palm Beach County.
“While COVID-19 has changed the way we are able to get together, our cause and goal remains the same,” organizers shared Aug. 18. “In fact, the needs of those fighting AIDS/HIV in our community are even greater this year with the pandemic adding another obstacle.”
In lieu of its traditional 165-mile journey, SMART Ride 17 cyclists will be challenged to ride 165 miles Nov. 20-22 wherever they may be. Organizers noted that they will continue to raise funds for Floridians affected by HIV/AIDS through a combination of virtual and physical challenges.
Additionally, anyone can participate this year by committing to log 165 miles, minutes or other measurable metric for the physical activities of their choice. Virtual events will also be held, including opening ceremonies, a candlelight vigil and closing ceremonies.
“The reality of doing the ride as has been done, given the current guidelines and restrictions by all counties and municipalities involved, was simply not feasible, especially with the uncertainty that the coming months may bring,” officials shared. “Key West has already cancelled events that were happening before, during and after the dates of the Ride.
“By making an early and responsible choice, we felt that this would allow all of us to pivot, adapt and focus to continue to raise money for those in need,” they continued. “The needs of those fighting AIDS/HIV in our community are even greater this year with the pandemic adding another obstacle. Over a million dollars has been lost in fundraising efforts due to events that had to be cancelled by each of our benefiting agencies because of the pandemic.”
AIDS Help, Broward House, Compass Community Center, Metro Inclusive Health, Miracle of Love and Pridelines will benefit from this year’s reimagined efforts. Their needs and more were discussed in a virtual town hall Aug. 17 ahead of the SMART Ride’s detailed FAQ. Both of which can be accessed below:
“We are excited that we can go through with SMART Ride in November despite COVID-19,” SMART Ride founder Glen Weinzimer tells Watermark. “Our tagline this year, ‘how do you 165?’ is allowing even more people to do good and help organizations that do so much good in the HIV community.
“We believe even with COVID we can change lives and find ways to do even more,” he continues. “Our hope is to have people across the state, and the country, all riding, swimming, rowing and more!”
Metro Inclusive Health, which has a long history with the SMART Ride, also reflected on this year’s reimagining.
“While the pandemic has curtailed the ability to gather and fundraise in a traditional sense, it has also increased the need for essential services among the HIV/AIDS community,” Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Brian Bailey says.
“It’s imperative that organizations such as SMART Ride reinvent themselves to continue providing this support at a time when it couldn’t be more important,” he continues. “We applaud their efforts and are hopeful that a mix of virtual and in person activities will provide an opportunity to introduce their good work to more of our community.”
For more information about this year’s reimagined SMART Ride, visit TheSMARTRide.org and view their FAQ’s here. Organizers can also be reached at Info@TheSMARTRide.org.
