RANDOLPH, Vt.—The Gifford Green was awash in black leather and colorful T-shirts on Saturday as Last Mile motorcycle riders gathered to hear the 19th annual Last Mile fundraising total, $156,000, to support end-of-life patients and their families. Participants, together with sponsors and donors, raised the money as they prepared to ride, run or walk in Last Mile events held over the last two weekends.
This year’s fundraising brings the grand total to $1,732,000 raised since the first Last Mile in 2006.
Longtime Last Mile organizer Ashley Lincoln shared the results during lunch after Saturday’s motorcycle ride. Perry Armstrong and Steve Brassard, friends of the late Chip Milnor, a devoted member of the Last Mile family who raised many thousands of dollars over the years, again made Milnor the top fundraiser, bringing in $12,475 in his memory. Milnor passed away in May 2023.
Other top fundraisers were Liz Longworth with $6,783; Janet Whitaker, $1,160; and Lynda McDermott, $1,055.
“What I love most about Last Mile is that it enables us to always say yes, no matter the ask, when families are experiencing deep loss,” said Lincoln, Gifford vice president of development.
Lincoln read from a letter Last Mile received from the family of the late Dale Williams of Randolph Center: “The donation from the [Last Mile] was unexpected and heartwarming. These gifts allow people to focus on grieving instead of on financials during such a difficult time.”
“As we continue to mourn her loss and work through the process of grief, we look forward to supporting this year’s ride and what it means for each family who receives support.”
That spirit of paying it forward drew 690 participants to the 2024 Last Mile, up from 676 last year. The series of events began Aug. 10 with a bicycle ride, continued Friday night with a 5K and 1- and 2.5-mile walks, and ended Saturday after a 75-mile motorcycle ride through central Vermont. Last Mile welcomed 59 bicyclists, 162 5K runners, 274 walkers, 142 motorcyclists and 53 motorcycle passengers.
Top 5K finishers were Sean Reith (overall male) with a time of 17 minutes, 33 seconds, and Riya Sundaram (overall female) with a time of 23 minutes, 54.3 seconds. Full race results are available at 802timing.com.
To ensure safety along Saturday’s motorcycle route, riders were led out of town by Bill Bohnyak and escorted by Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association volunteers with the help of local police.
In addition to the Last Mile events, funds were raised through a 50/50 cash raffle, as well as raffles for a quilt made by retired Gifford nurses Betsy Hannah and Carol Labonte and a blanket crocheted by Gifford staffer Jen Hrinsin.
Fifty-seven businesses supported the 2024 Last Mile, including the following major sponsors: Frankenburg Insurance Agency, Gary & Mary West Foundation, Gifford Auxiliary, Mascoma Bank, Neagley & Chase Construction Company, Northfield Savings Bank, First Citizens Wealth, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Rural Vermont Real Estate, and Rain or Shine Tent and Events.
The 2025 Last Mile is slated for Aug. 9 with the bicycle ride; Aug. 15, 5K run and walks; and Aug. 16, motorcycle ride.
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CONTACT: Maryellen Apelquist, Communications Manager,
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Gifford is a community hospital in Randolph, Vt., with family health centers in Berlin, Bethel, Chelsea, Randolph, and Rochester, and specialty services throughout central Vermont. A Federally Qualified Health Center and a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the country, Gifford is a full-service hospital with a 24-hour emergency department and inpatient unit; many surgical services; an adult day program; 49-unit independent living facility, and a nursing home. The hospital’s mission is to improve individual and community health by providing and assuring access to affordable, high-quality health care in Gifford’s service area.
