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, and 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 [email protected] or by phone at 301-733-9067 x 250.
