AARP gives Sammy Rides a push

What started out as a grassroots, Sun City Center-based effort to raise money to combat pediatric cancer has gone national thanks to a recent announcement by AARP that it will serve as a major sponsor of Sammy Rides.

"It's unbelievable," said Karen Ryan, director of marketing, public and media relations for the group.

Sammy Rides was founded after Michael and Lois Libenson lost their 9-year-old granddaughter Sammy Rotman in 2008 after a two-year battle with cancer. The idea behind the organization is to raise money and awareness during a 2,400-mile bicycle trek from Sun City, Ariz., to Sun City Center, Fla., between March 2011 and May 2011. Five riders - four over the age of 70 and one in his 60s - have signed up for the journey. An African gray parrot named Harry will also go along for the ride, which will include stops at pediatric hospitals along the way.

AARP's sponsorship will help the group meet its goal of raising $1 million, Ryan said. In addition, it will also give it recognition on the national level.

The nonprofit will be featured at AARP's Orlando@50+ convention. This event takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Sammy Rides' five cyclists will bike from Sun City Center to Orlando to help open the convention, which includes speakers such as Whoopi Goldberg, Larry King, Cesar Millan and Jane Pauley.

Sammy Rides will have a booth at the convention featuring stationary and recumbent bikes that attendees can ride in exchange for a donation to the organization's efforts. A plasma screen television with riders' names will be displayed in the convention center area along with how many miles they've ridden. John "Woody" Nelson, the chairman of Sammy Rides, is hoping this at-conference fundraiser will turn into a friendly state-versus-state competition that helps the group near its fundraising goal.

In addition to gaining AARP as a sponsor, Ryan said 5-Hour Energy drink and other national sponsors have stepped forward to assist the organization.

"We cannot put into words our gratitude to AARP for their interest and assistance bestowed on Sammy Rides," Nelson said. "AARP is very generous and we are indebted to them."

"We never expected (this)," added Ryan.

For more information on Sammy Rides, visit sammyrides.org. Information about the Orlando@50+ convention is available on AARP's website at aarp.org. A video about Sammy Rides is also available on the AARP site. Just type "sammyrides" into the search box to learn more.