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March 13, 2009
Media Contact: Candice Ogden, 954-355-5617
For Immediate Release
Big Bike Riders Children’s Foundation Show Big Hearts for Chris Evert Children’s Hospital
Fort Lauderdale, FL – The second annual “Celebration of Smiles” event coordinated by the Big Bikers Children’s Foundation was recently held to raise funds for Broward Health Chris Evert Children’s Hospital.
More than 200 people participated in the 52-mile motorcycle ride that was escorted by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
The event began at Chris Evert Children’s Hospital in Fort Lauderdale where participants were welcomed by Ron Catronio, co-founder/chairman of the Big Bike Riders Children’s Foundation. Other speakers included Michael S. Long, vice president of the Broward Health Foundation and James Thaw, chief executive officer of Broward General Medical Center and Chris Evert Children’s Hospital.
Fort Lauderdale Vice Mayor Charlotte Rodstrom also attended the event and presented a proclamation naming March 8, 2009 as Chris Evert Children’s Hospital – Celebration of Smiles Charity Ride Day. The ride ended at Wetz Pub in Sunrise where an estimated 500 attendees were treated to food, music, biker games, and a silent auction.
“The word is quickly spreading throughout our community about the expansion and renovation of the Chris Evert Children’s Hospital,” said Long. “We’re so grateful that Ron Catronio and the Big Bike Riders Children’s Foundation has partnered with us to help improve the lives of our pediatric patients and their families. We look forward to working with the group to grow this event in the years to come.”
Organizations including JM Family Enterprises, The Elvis Presley Estate, Coral Springs Quilters, Chic-fil-A, the Florida Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Caran Art and more donated silent auction items. The Fabulons and Southern Rock Society entertained the crowd with live music, while Chef Joel at Wetz Pub provided a barbeque.
“The hearts of bikers are never bigger than when there are children involved, and let’s face it, Chris Evert Children’s Hospital is the marquee of world-class pediatric health care,” said Catronio. “We are really proud to have established this relationship with Broward Health and the Broward Health Foundation.”
Broward Health, providing service for more than 50 years, is a nationally recognized system offering world class health care services to our neighbors in South Florida. One of the 10 largest public health systems in the nation, Broward Health includes Broward General Medical Center, North Broward Medical Center, Imperial Point Medical Center, Coral Springs Medical Center, Chris Evert Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston and more than 30 facilities of the Community Health Services and Broward Health Physician Group. For more information visit www.browardhealth.org. Our 2nd Annual Celebration of Smiles Charity Ride was a HUGE success! We started
with a pre-ride event at the Chris Evert Children's Hospital at 1600
South Andrews Ave in Ft. Lauderdale. We were escorted by 23 of
Broward's Finest Deputies for 52 miles to Wetz Pub at 8354 West Oakland
Park Blvd. Sunrise. At Wetz Pub riders and guests were treated to two
live bands: Southern Rock Society and The Fabulons; a vendor area,
food and drinks, including a Pig Roast by Chef Joel, a silent auction,
a custom bike show, Biker Games including a “Slow Ride”, which a
Sheriff's Deputy set at 2 minutes and 20 seconds. Many completed but
were unable to break the time set by BSO. The event did quite well and
the SMILES team along with the hospital foundation staff were
pleased. Net proceeds will benefit the Chris Evert Children’s Hospital
$70 million dollar expansion.
We extend HUGE thanks to Jamey Thaw, Broward
Health's President/CEO and the Broward Health Foundation President Mike
Long and his great staff (The Charity Chicks) for their support and
many contributions to this event. Without them we would not have been
able to produce this truly outstanding 1st year ride. We look forward
to 2010's ride so mark your calendars for Sunday, March 21st 2010 for
our 3rd Annual Smiles Charity Ride.
We thank all those local MC's and independent bikers
who participated in the 2009 SMILES ride and partied with us at WETZ
Pub. The event was terrific and all had a great time. Again, We look
forward to seeing you again in March 2010 for the 3rd Annual ride.
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