Gifford continues a central Vermont community tradition Aug. 17-18 with the 13th annual Last Mile Ride to support end-of-life care for patients and their families. The two-day, family-friendly event features a motorcycle ride, 5K run, and 1- and 2-mile walks to raise funds for palliative care and special services.
Since 2006, Last Mile Ride has raised nearly $650,000, with all proceeds used to help ease the end-of-life experience and support grieving families. Services supported by Last Mile Ride include massage and acupuncture for pain management, music therapy, catered meals, family legacy photo shoots, and more. Last Mile Ride also fulfills unique wishes, including in previous years paid travel expenses for family members to visit a loved one, a trip to a Red Sox game, estate planning, and a wedding.
“One of the very best parts of my job is having the opportunity to distribute Last Mile Ride funds to people who are in need at a time in life when they are so vulnerable,” said Ashley Lincoln, Gifford director of development and Last Mile Ride coordinator. “We are grateful for the support of our walkers, runners, riders, volunteers, business sponsors and donors—and are committed to seeing that their gifts pay for much more than anything money can buy.”
“We hear the heartfelt expressions of gratitude from our patients and their family members, and we wish we could share them all with Last Mile Ride supporters so they would know the impact their efforts have on real people’s lives,” Lincoln said.
The walks and 5K run begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, with registration starting at 4:30 p.m., at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph. The registration fee is $25 per person. Participants are encouraged to create teams with friends and family.
Registration for the motorcycle ride begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Gifford. The entrance fee is $50 per driver; $75 per driver and passenger. The ride, which starts at 10 a.m., takes participants on an 80-mile journey through central Vermont.
Participants who preregister for Last Mile Ride by Aug. 1 will receive a free T-shirt.
In addition to the scheduled Last Mile Ride events, funds are raised through raffles for a motorcycle from Wilkins Harley-Davidson in South Barre and a quilt made by Gifford nurses. For more information about Last Mile Ride follow on Facebook, or call 802-728-2380.
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