Team Heidee prepares for annual cruise to benefit American Diabetes Association
McDONOUGH – It’s time to gear up and start your engines for the 5th Annual Heidee’s Memorial Cruise for Diabetes and Dice Run.
The ride will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 4 at Gus’ Steakhouse in Norwich and conclude with a barbecue and raffle at the Balsam Inn in East Pharsalia.
Nancy MacLaury began organizing the ride after losing her daughter just over five years ago. Heidee was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of three and struggled with the disease until age 30.
“My hope is it generates enough awareness that more people take the disease seriously,” said MacLaury. “I may have lost my daughter, but hopefully the money we raise can go to help other families so they don’t lose their brother, sister, mother or child.”
The ride will cost $15 for one person and $25 with a passenger. All proceeds will be donated to the ADA.
MacLaury said she is hoping for a great turn-out this year to make up for the poor weather which stifled participation at the last event.
“There are plenty of people that want to participate and many have stuck with it all the way through,” said MacLaury. “Despite the rain last year, we had many new riders that made the entire trip and said they looked forward to coming back this year.”
Riders will travel from Gus’ Steakhouse to the Rockin’ Roadhouse in South New Berlin, Guilford, Oxford Seeber’s in Smithville and will conclude in South Pharsalia. In Oxford the riders will have a chance to stop at Hoppies, The Stadium, Roma’s or the Oxford Tavern for lunch.
This will be the second non-consecutive year that will incorporate the “Dice Run” which involves each biker rolling a die at each stop. The biker with the highest total number of rolls at the end of the event will receive a prize.
At the end of the route riders can look forward to a meal and a variety of outdoor games that include trophies for the winners. Favorites such as the “Slow Ride” and the “Egg Balance” will mean a good laugh for both participants and spectators, said MacLaury.
The meal will include chicken provided by MacLaury and salads provided by The Balsam Inn.
The final celebration at the Balsam will be open to the public and will include a 50/50 raffle and auctions for which anyone can bid. Rhett Genung of Rockstar DJ and Chris Piro will provide entertainment throughout.
The auctions, which MacLaury said were a big success last year, will include prizes and gift baskets donated from family members and businesses around the greater Chenango area including the Binghamton B-Mets and Pro-Tel.
T-shirts from last year will also be available for a free will donation.
MacLaury explained that her decision to donate to the ADA wasn’t really a decision at all. “They really helped when Heidee was sick,” she said. “And they’ve been fantastic to work with since, they’re very passionate about getting the information to the public.”
Kris Alexich, the ADA associate manager of the CNY Step Out Walk, said there could be no better supporter when it comes to forwarding the goals and aims of the association.
“She has the motivation and excitement ... she has the passion to make these things happen,” said Alexich.
MacLaury participates in the Step Out Walk annually which is coordinated by the ADA at numerous locations around New York State, including the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City.
For more information about the Cruise or to make a donation, contact MacLaury at 647-5015 or visit the group’s website at main.diabetes.org/goto/teamheidee.
The ride will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 4 at Gus’ Steakhouse in Norwich and conclude with a barbecue and raffle at the Balsam Inn in East Pharsalia.
Nancy MacLaury began organizing the ride after losing her daughter just over five years ago. Heidee was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of three and struggled with the disease until age 30.
“My hope is it generates enough awareness that more people take the disease seriously,” said MacLaury. “I may have lost my daughter, but hopefully the money we raise can go to help other families so they don’t lose their brother, sister, mother or child.”
The ride will cost $15 for one person and $25 with a passenger. All proceeds will be donated to the ADA.
MacLaury said she is hoping for a great turn-out this year to make up for the poor weather which stifled participation at the last event.
“There are plenty of people that want to participate and many have stuck with it all the way through,” said MacLaury. “Despite the rain last year, we had many new riders that made the entire trip and said they looked forward to coming back this year.”
Riders will travel from Gus’ Steakhouse to the Rockin’ Roadhouse in South New Berlin, Guilford, Oxford Seeber’s in Smithville and will conclude in South Pharsalia. In Oxford the riders will have a chance to stop at Hoppies, The Stadium, Roma’s or the Oxford Tavern for lunch.
This will be the second non-consecutive year that will incorporate the “Dice Run” which involves each biker rolling a die at each stop. The biker with the highest total number of rolls at the end of the event will receive a prize.
At the end of the route riders can look forward to a meal and a variety of outdoor games that include trophies for the winners. Favorites such as the “Slow Ride” and the “Egg Balance” will mean a good laugh for both participants and spectators, said MacLaury.
The meal will include chicken provided by MacLaury and salads provided by The Balsam Inn.
The final celebration at the Balsam will be open to the public and will include a 50/50 raffle and auctions for which anyone can bid. Rhett Genung of Rockstar DJ and Chris Piro will provide entertainment throughout.
The auctions, which MacLaury said were a big success last year, will include prizes and gift baskets donated from family members and businesses around the greater Chenango area including the Binghamton B-Mets and Pro-Tel.
T-shirts from last year will also be available for a free will donation.
MacLaury explained that her decision to donate to the ADA wasn’t really a decision at all. “They really helped when Heidee was sick,” she said. “And they’ve been fantastic to work with since, they’re very passionate about getting the information to the public.”
Kris Alexich, the ADA associate manager of the CNY Step Out Walk, said there could be no better supporter when it comes to forwarding the goals and aims of the association.
“She has the motivation and excitement ... she has the passion to make these things happen,” said Alexich.
MacLaury participates in the Step Out Walk annually which is coordinated by the ADA at numerous locations around New York State, including the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City.
For more information about the Cruise or to make a donation, contact MacLaury at 647-5015 or visit the group’s website at main.diabetes.org/goto/teamheidee.
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