MEDIA RESOURCES:
San Mar Celebrates Unprecedented Bicycle Ride Fundraiser
Boonsboro, MD, August 8, 2024 – San Mar announces successful completion of the 37th edition of The Great Bicycle Tour of the C&O Canal
San Mar Family and Community Services held the 37th edition of its largest annual fundraiser, The Great Bicycle Tour (TGBT) of the C&O Canal July 13-16, 2024. The 184.5-mile tour begins in Cumberland, Maryland, and follows the C&O Canal Tow Path for four days, ending at mile marker 0 in Washington, D.C. This year 134 riders braved sizzling temperatures, the hottest in memory with several days in triple digits, so far have raised more than $175,000. This amount bests the previous single event record by tens of thousands, with resource development to support children, families, and communities in the region served through San Mar’s key programs including Treatment Foster Care, the Bester Community of Hope initiative, and the Jack E. Barr Center for Well-Being outpatient mental health center. In addition, corporate and local sponsorship underwriting reached over $46,000, to catalyze rider donations and ensure they went directly to programming.
San Mar’s Director of Development and TGBT event manager, Elisa Mabina, shared, “There is something so special about this annual event, not only for the amount of money raised to support kids and families, which is significant! But also for the sense of purpose, community, and true friendships formed over the four days between riders, staff, and volunteers. It’s just amazing!” This year, fourteen cyclists raised $3,000 or more for San Mar, including current San Mar Board member Timothy Hott, raising over $9,000. However, one rider stood out and raised a record amount – Cindy Holzapfel, who reached an astonishing $38,942! This event was Cindy’s eighth time riding, but her first time asking others to contribute. She shared, “My goal this year was to raise $20,000 for this incredible organization that helps so many in our community, but it wasn’t long before we realized that we should increase the goal. I cannot begin to tell you how overwhelmed I was by our response for San Mar.”
Underwriting was received from presenting sponsor The Nora Roberts Foundation, lead sponsors Dot Foods, Coca-Cola Consolidated, The Loats Foundation, Fulton Bank, Middletown Valley Bank, and partnering sponsors SEK CPAs & Advisors, Blue Ridge Risk Partners, Younger Toyota, Lamb Insurance Services, AC&T, Staples Mid-Atlantic Distribution Center, and Patriot Federal Credit Union. Additional support was received from First United Bank & Trust, Hagerstown Ford, Penske Truck Rental, and a variety of local organizations including Willow Brook Church, Boonsboro Lions Club, and the Interfaith Service Coalition.
San Mar CEO Keith Fanjoy shared, “This event has so many moving parts, and this year’s edition had its unique challenges with extreme heat. Our staff, volunteers, and all of the riders approached the ride and adversity with such a positive attitude and team approach; it was so encouraging to see the selfless collaboration day in and day out. This really is more than just a charity bike ride, it is a group of people who continue to come together and find a way towards a shared vision to support others in need, and in the process create lifelong memories during a one-of-a-kind adventure.”
In the 37 years of hosting this bicycle tour, San Mar has now raised well over two million dollars in support of its programs serving children and families. Donations are still gratefully accepted at www.sanmartgbt.org
through August 31st. Registration for next summer’s bicycle tour will open November 1, 2024, and TGBT XXXVIII will take place July 12-15, 2025.
San Mar Family and Community Services, whose mission is “Cultivating Hope and Well-Being in Children, Families and Communities” has been serving the Washington County, Maryland area since 1883. Services are provided through San Mar Treatment Foster Care, the Jack E. Barr Center for Well-Being outpatient mental health services, and Bester Community of Hope prevention programs.
Media inquiries and event questions – Contact Elisa Mabina at emabina@sanmarhope.org; 3014013681 (cell)
Western Maryland nonprofit gears up for charitable, days-long biking adventure along C&O Canal
San Mar Family and Community Services Celebrates Success of The Great Bicycle Tour (TGBT XXXVI)
Boonsboro, MD, July 24, 2023 – San Mar announces successful completion of the 36th edition of The Great Bicycle Tour of the C&O Canal
San Mar Family and Community Services held the 36th edition of its largest annual fundraiser, The Great Bicycle Tour (TGBT) of the C&O Canal July 8-11, 2023. The 184.5-mile tour begins in Cumberland, Maryland and follows the C&O Canal Tow Path for four days, ending at mile marker 0 in Washington, D.C. Nearly 140 riders joined this event and so far have raised over $132,000, the most ever, to support children, families and communities in the region served through San Mar’s key programs including Treatment Foster Care, the Bester Community of Hope initiative, and the Jack E. Barr Center for Well-Being outpatient mental health center. In addition, corporate and local sponsorship underwriting has reached close to $40,000, which helped catalyze rider donations and ensure they went directly to programming.
San Mar’s Director of Development and TGBT event manager, Elisa Mabina, shared, “This event is an amazing fundraiser for San Mar, and so much more! Hosting 130-150 riders for four days, who usually range in age from 5-80+, is such a special, bonding experience. I think we all leave with a sense of accomplishment and commitment to advancing San Mar’s powerful mission. We make friends for life and together we support families in need of hope. To me, it’s always the best four days of the summer!”
This year’s top fundraiser David Brinkley has raised close to $16,000 in memory of his late son Ross and mental health needs in our local communities. He shared, “This was my first TGBT! I gained financial support by saying it would be a GREAT ADVENTURE, and it certainly was! The camaraderie, support of the San Mar team, the beauty of the canal, and the ride through history is extraordinary! It’s great to have fun AND financially support the great work in the community San Mar has provided for 140 years!”
Underwriting was received from presenting sponsor The Nora Roberts Foundation, lead sponsors Coca-Cola Consolidated, The Loats Foundation, Middletown Valley Bank, Staples Mid-Atlantic Distribution Center, and partnering sponsors SEK CPAs & Advisors, Blue Ridge Risk Partners, Fulton Bank, Younger Toyota, Meritus Health, AC&T, Lamb Insurance Services, M&T Bank, Baltimore Life Companies and Patriot Federal Credit Union. Additional support was received from Hagerstown Ford, Penske Truck Rental and a variety of local organizations including Willow Brook Church, Hancock Rotary, Boonsboro Ruritan Club and Boonsboro and Hagerstown Lions Clubs.
San Mar CEO Keith Fanjoy shared, “This event is about collective impact; so many riders, partners and volunteers step up and come together with a shared vision for kids, families and communities. I think of our bicycle mechanics from Wheel Base Bikes and so many of our volunteers this year like Joseph Woodburn, Gary Serrao, Jason Cole, Alan Siefert and Robin Boucher to name a select few. We have so many pure volunteers that tirelessly give during the event, but I think of those who get their hands dirty and donate their time because they believe in what we do. Those are just a few examples of unsung heroes that are essential to the success of the event. It really takes a team, and we’re so fortunate for each member of the community who joins our dedicated staff in making this happen.”
In the 36 years of hosting this bicycle tour, San Mar is approaching close to two million dollars in support of its programs serving children and families. Donations are still gratefully accepted at www.sanmartgbt.org through August 31st. Registration for next summer’s bicycle tour will open November 1, 2023 and TGBT XXXVII will take place July 13-16, 2024.
San Mar Family and Community Services, whose mission is “Cultivating Hope and Well-Being in Children, Families and Communities” has been serving the Washington County, Maryland area since 1883. Services are provided through San Mar Treatment Foster Care, the Jack E. Barr Center for Well-Being outpatient mental health services, and Bester Community of Hope prevention programs.
Media inquiries and event questions – Contact Elisa Mabina at emabina@sanmarhope.org ; 3014013681 (cell)
https://sanmarhope.org/tgbt-xxxvi-sets-event-record-for-fundraising/
San Mar Family and Community Services Celebrates
Success of The Great Bicycle Tour (TGBT XXXV)
Boonsboro, MD, July 19, 2022 – San Mar announces successful completion of the 35th edition of The Great Bicycle Tour of the C&O Canal
San Mar Family and Community Services held the 35th edition of its largest annual fundraiser, The Great Bicycle Tour (TGBT) of the C&O Canal July 9-12, 2022. The 184.5-mile tour begins in Cumberland, MD and follows the C&O Canal Tow Path for four days, ending at mile marker 0 in Washington, D.C. Nearly 160 riders joined this fundraiser to support children, families and communities in the region served through San Mar’s key programs including Treatment Foster Care, the Bester Community of Hope initiative, and the Jack E. Barr Center for Well-Being.
“TGBT is a special event where cyclists get the opportunity to create lifetime memories with friends new and old. Our development team puts energy into every detail to ensure a one-of-a-kind adventure to help raise critical funds, and it is our hope that each rider gets a first-hand experience through our acts of service and hospitality, the same intentions that we approach children, families, and communities with each day. We believe it is those efforts that bring riders and sponsors back year after year to support our cause, and we are so grateful for their partnership,” shared CEO Keith Fanjoy.
Rider fundraising has reached close to $120,000 so far, and additional donations through rider giving pages will remain open through August 31st. Sponsorship underwriting which helped make the ride possible, was received from presenting sponsor The Nora Roberts Foundation, lead sponsors The Loats Foundation, Middletown Valley Bank, Bitner Henry Insurance Group, Meritus Health, Staples Mid-Atlantic Distribution Center, and partnering sponsors SEK CPAs & Advisors, Blue Ridge Risk Partners, Younger Toyota and Patriot Federal Credit Union. Additional support was received from AC&T, Penske and a variety of local organizations including Hagerstown Ford and Lions Club chapters from Boonsboro and Hagerstown.
In the 30+ years of hosting this bicycle tour, San Mar has raised well over one and a half million dollars in support of its programs serving children and families. Donations are still gratefully accepted at www.sanmartgbt.org . Registration for next summer’s bicycle tour will open November 1, 2022 and TGBT XXXVI will take place July 8-11, 2023.
San Mar Family and Community Services, whose mission is “Cultivating Hope and Well-Being in Children, Families and Communities” has been serving the Washington County, Maryland area since 1883. Services are provided through San Mar Treatment Foster Care, the Jack E. Barr Center for Well-Being outpatient mental health services, and Bester Community of Hope prevention programs.
Media inquiries and event questions – Contact Elisa Mabina at emabina@sanmarhope.org ; 3014013681 (cell)
TGBT-XXXIV-Results-Press-Release-2
San Mar Family and Community Services Celebrates Success of The Great Bicycle Tour (TGBT XXXIV)
Boonsboro, MD, July 30, 2021 – San Mar announces successful completion of the 34th edition of The Great Bicycle Tour of the C&O Canal
San Mar Family and Community Services held the 34th edition of its largest annual fundraiser, The Great Bicycle Tour (TGBT) of the C&O Canal July 10-13, 2021. The 184.5-mile tour begins in Cumberland, MD and follows the C&O Canal Tow Path for four days, ending at mile marker 0 in Washington, D.C. More than 120 riders joined this fundraiser to support children, families and communities in the region served through San Mar’s key programs including Treatment Foster Care, The Bester Community of Hope and The Jack E. Barr Center for Well-Being. The ride is fully supported over the course of four days of cycling, with meals, lodging, and transportation included.
Rider fundraising has netted $105,769 so far, with a few weeks remaining to collect additional donations through rider giving pages. Sponsorship underwriting which helped make the ride possible, was received from presenting sponsor The Nora Roberts Foundation, lead sponsors The Loats Foundation, Staples Mid-Atlantic Distribution Center, Middletown Valley Bank, Bitner Henry Insurance Group, SEK CPAs & Advisors, and partnering sponsors Meritus Health and Younger Toyota. Additional support was received from Conagra Brands, Keller Stonebraker/Blue Ridge Risk Partners and a variety of local organizations including Hagerstown Ford and Lions Club chapters from Boonsboro, Hagerstown, and Hancock.
In the 30+ years of hosting this bicycle tour, San Mar has raised well over one million dollars in support of its programs serving children and families. Donations are still gratefully accepted at www.sanmartgbt.org
Registration for next summer’s bicycle tour will open November 1, 2021 and TGBT XXXV will take place July 9-12, 2022.
“ I had the best time on the ride. It was just what I needed! I was able to raise money for such a great cause and I made some great friends. The only problem with the ride was it was only 185 miles and not 250. We all did not want it to end. I will be back next year. I am honored to be part of this and be a small part of San Mar’s success.” – Mark Bindon (first-time TGBT participant)
San Mar Family and Community Services, whose mission is “Cultivating Hope and Well-Being in Children, Families and Communities” has been serving the Washington County, Maryland area since 1883. Services are provided through San Mar Treatment Foster Care, the Jack E. Barr Center for Well-Being outpatient mental health services, and Bester Community of Hope prevention programs.
Media inquiries and event questions – Contact Elisa Hermes at ehermes@sanmarhope.org
RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE
by: Steven Cohen
Posted: Jul 7, 2021 / 07:44 PM EDT / Updated: Jul 7, 2021 / 08:39 PM EDT
BOONSBORO, Md. (WDVM) — It has been a real struggle over the past year to find care for kids in our area who need loving homes, but a four-day bike ride on the C&O Canal this weekend just might help in that effort.
With the pandemic, foster care and related mental health services have faced significant challenges. There are children in the Hagerstown community that need a loving home. San Mar is a nonprofit based in Boonsboro that offers that hope.
“There are youth in our community right now that don’t have homes,” Mercede Robinson, San Mar director for Treatment Foster Care, said. “A lot of our youth have had to transition from their biological home due to safety concerns. So our goal at treatment foster care is to provide safe, supportive homes for these youth.”
To provide those homes San Mar has a four-day bicycle ride fundraiser scheduled this weekend along the C&O canal. The distance is 184.5 miles. The donations collected go to “the programs for treatment foster care, and one is the Jack E. Barr Center for well being, which is community mental health services,” Elisa Hermes, San Mar Family and Community Services director of development, said.
Hermes explains that the money raised from the bike ride also funds the Bester Community of Hope, focused on extensive community outreach. Meanwhile, Robinson and her team at San Mar are concentrating on matching kids in need with families that provide that love.
“Our goal is to find diverse families that meet the needs of our youth who are reflective of the population we serve, so right now we’re looking for some African-American families, LGBTQ-plus families, families that really diversify us as a program,” said Robinson.
None of this would be possible without the generous financial support from the bicycle riders, ready to put their 2-wheelers to the test over four days this weekend along the C&O canal.
“I’m just looking forward to spending four days with a great group of people who all have their hearts in the right place and they want to support the kids and families that we serve,” Hermes said.
While 184 and-a-half miles is a long distance, the riders say nothing can beat the support and camaraderie they get from San Mar.
It’s not to late to get your bike ready: Visit San Mar online to find out how you can participate.
The first time Jen Whitmore met her future husband cycling along the C&O Canal for a charity ride, they didn’t talk much.
Mark stayed in the back of the pack, ready to help with flat tires. Jen, also an experienced cyclist, was her own mechanic. Eventually, they got to talking and, about four years later, they wed — along the C&O Canal.
“Instead of a first dance, we had a first ride,” Jen Whitmore said.
The Frederick couple continues to support the charity ride that brought them together, and not just because of the love story it happened to spark but because it benefits the community.
The Great Bicycle Tour of the C&O Canal spans 184.5 miles over four days from Cumberland to Washington, D.C.
Its 34th ride will take place July 10-13, and riders of all skill levels are invited to join in.
Cyclists come out in droves — young and old, experienced and novice, to support San Mar Family and Community Services. The nonprofit provides foster care programs, mental health services and other resources that benefit local children and families. Each person who registers for the four-day ride commits to fundraising at least $475 for San Mar, in addition to the registration fee.
Fundraising goals are smaller for one- and two-day rides and for the virtual ride option.
“The programs that they provide are super important,” Jen Whitmore said. “You see the same people year to year, and they care so much about what they’re doing, and [they’re] also providing a really good ride experience for all the riders. It’s something that you want to support them with.”
“They depend on us, and I don’t take that lightly,” he said. “I’ve grown to love these people. … I’ve seen kids grow up. … I’ve seen people meet and be married, ourselves included. I mean, it’s kind of like a family thing.”
Cyclists support each other along the way, and the Whitmores say there’s no shame in tapping out if you grow tired. You’ll even get a ride back to your hotel, they said. TGBT is a safe way to embark on a challenging trip. Mark Whitmore was quick to point out it’s a ride, not a race.
“It’s not about being at the front, it’s just about … finishing the ride with that great group of people and also about raising the money for San Mar,” Jen Whitmore added.
The TGBT vision came from San Mar’s former CEO Bruce Anderson, according to current CEO Keith Fanjoy. Fanjoy described the fundraiser as a win-win for the participants and the nonprofit — and he would know, having made the trip himself.
“When I arrived at San Mar 15 years ago, I rode the ride twice as a staff before being recruited as a full-time support staff,” Fanjoy said. “Year in and year out, the enthusiasm and selfless contributions of riders keep our support crew striving to make the ride the best possible experience. For many riders, it’s an annual gathering of friends both old and new who venture off to do something special together.”
Funds raised through the event benefit children and families who San Mar helps, including children from foster care programs throughout Maryland and those in need of mental health support in Washington and Frederick counties.
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic led San Mar to transform the ride into a self-guided, one-day loop in the Williamsport area of the canal, according to Fanjoy. He said cyclists look forward to seeing the return of the four-day ride this year.
TGBT Feature Article -In Search of Adventure
San Mar Family and Community Services Presents
The Great Bicycle Tour (TGBT)
Boonsboro, MD, February 11, 2021 – San Mar announces plans for The Great Bicycle Tour, TGBT XXXIV, in July
San Mar is pleased to announce that the 34th ride of the entire C&O Canal returns July 10-13, 2021 following last year’s modified event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 184.5-mile bicycle tour begins in Cumberland, MD and follows the C&O Canal towpath for four days, ending at mile marker 0 in Washington, DC. This signature annual event is San Mar’s largest fundraising event to support children and families in the community.
The Great Bicycle Tour, also known as TGBT, is family friendly and fully supported with all meals, lodging, and transportation included. Options for an abbreviated 2-day or 1-day ride are also available. Registration is limited to 150. Interested participants can register to ride for San Mar at https://sanmartgbt.org/
The outdoor nature of this event makes it one of the most enjoyable activities to do in a safe and socially-distanced manner. As planning continues, San Mar will monitor federal, state, and local guidelines and recommendations from public health officials. We intend to comply with all recommended health and safety protocols in effect at the time of our event.
“Durin
g a time where there remain many challenges, this four-day adventure is just what the doctor ordered. All of us at San Mar are looking forward to a return to our largest annual fundraiser, while remaining committed to the safety of all our participants, staff and volunteers. Not only do children and families benefit from the proceeds, but those who participate in this adventure leave with a lifetime memory. We look forward to getting on the bike once again.” —Keith Fanjoy
San Mar Family and Community Services, whose mission is “Cultivating Hope and Well-Being in Children, Families and Communities” has been serving the Washington County, Maryland area since 1883. Services are provided through San Mar Treatment Foster Care, the Jack E. Barr Center for Well-Being outpatient mental health services, and Bester Community of Hope prevention programs.
Media inquiries and event questions – Contact Elisa Hermes at ehermes@sanmarhope.org