ABOVE: Joy Winheim accepts a ceremonial SMART Ride check Jan. 15. Photo via EPIC.
ST. PETERSBURG | Empath Partners in Care announced Feb. 8 that the organization has received its donation of $150,985.46 from The SMART Ride.
EPIC officially became one of SMART Ride’s benefiting agencies ahead of last year’s 19th outing, a two-day, 165-mile trek from Miami to Key West Nov. 18-19. The organization has raised $14.95 million for nonprofits throughout Florida since 2003.
SMART Ride 19 raised more than $1 million of that total, with $30,000 stemming from EPIC’s cycling team “We are EPIC.” The beneficiary also volunteered crew members to ensure riders were provided food, water, required maintenance and more.
SMART Ride Founder Glen Weinzimer told Watermark ahead of the ride that the organization was thrilled to name EPIC a beneficiary, which had previously participated in SMART Ride 18 in a support role. Executive Director Joy Winheim monitored and assisted riders along the route.
“We are thrilled to have Joy and the EPIC team with us this year,” Weinzimer said. “Joy has done an amazing job representing and being an advocate this past year on the ride and it was a unanimous decision to ask them to be a full benefiting agency.”
EPIC’s $150,985.46 total was initially revealed Jan. 15 at SMART Ride’s check distribution party. Winheim graciously accepted, thanking supporters for making it possible. View photos below.
Winheim also reflected on receipt of the funds Feb. 8.
“We were honored to be a beneficiary of the 2022 SMART Ride and the funds raised will benefit the Tampa Bay community so we can provide more education and prevention services as well as ensure our HIV+ community members have what they need to live healthy lives,” she said in EPIC’s press release.
SMART Ride 20 is scheduled for Nov. 17-18 and planning is underway. EPIC will once again serve as a beneficiary and participate as a team.
For more information about EPIC and The SMART Ride, visit MyEPIC.org and TheSMARTRide.org.
