Plant City hosted the 11th Annual Dean’s Ride fundraiser earlier this month, beginning at Keel Farm and traversing throughout the Plant City area on four different cycling distances as riders made their way through the city’s scenic country roads.
Riders from across the country all made their way to Plant City on Saturday, March 26 as they enjoyed complimentary refreshments and snacks before embarking on a 61-, 35-, 24- or 9-mile ride beginning at 7:30 a.m. After the ride, participants were able to enjoy lunch, music, craft beer and Keel Farms cider as they basked in their accomplishment for a good cause.
2023’s ride featured 223 individual riders and raised roughly $14,000, according to Plant City YMCA Executive Director Paul Conley, a strong step up from the $11,000 raised through 212 riders in 2022 at last year’s event.
Dean’s Ride has nearly doubled in participation throughout recent years, due in large part to the event’s organizers — an eight-person volunteer committee made up entirely of Plant City community members.
The YMCA’s LIVESTRONG program is a 12-week, small-group program aimed at helping adults who have become de-conditioned or chronically fatigued from cancer treatment and/or the disease itself, all at no cost to the survivors and their families.
For more information on the YMCA’s LIVESTRONG program, visit www.tampaymca.org/blog/live-strong-y.