Inaugural Tour de Friendship Charity Bike Ride Set for Nov. 9

A new charity bike ride, the Tour de Friendship, will take place on November 9, 2023, in Boca Raton, Florida. This inaugural event aims to raise funds for the Friendship House, a nonprofit organization founded by Rabbi Sholom Kessler that supports individuals with special needs and their families.

The 60-mile course will start and finish at the Friendship House, located at 17950 N. Military Trail. Participants will ride along State Road A1A to Palm Beach and back, with breaks every 15 miles for refreshments and bike support. Riders are encouraged to raise $1,500 each and will receive a special bike jersey as a token of appreciation.

Kessler, who also serves as the executive director of the Friendship House, emphasized the importance of building an inclusive community. “Oftentimes, children with special needs are overlooked and we are here to change that,” he stated. He believes that individuals with special needs contribute significantly to the community and can bring about meaningful changes.

Currently, the Friendship House serves around 70 families in the area, providing year-round programming designed to foster inclusion and support. Kessler hopes that the bike ride will not only raise funds but also increase awareness about the organization and its mission. “It’s an opportunity for the Boca community to come together, not just in support, but in shared purpose,” he added.

Participants do not need to be experienced cyclists, though many are training for the event. The ride is expected to take approximately four to five hours, and cyclists can either bring their own bikes or rent one for the day. Kessler is working to accommodate all skill levels, making the ride accessible to a broad audience.

On the day of the event, riders will be treated to a light kosher breakfast before the ceremonial send-off at 8 a.m.. The finish line celebration is anticipated to occur around 2 p.m., providing an opportunity for participants to celebrate their achievements together.

For those interested in supporting the cause, registration is open on the event website, tourdefriendship.com. There is no current deadline for registration, and the site also offers options for volunteering or donating to individual riders or the event as a whole.

As the inaugural Tour de Friendship approaches, Kessler’s vision of a more inclusive community is becoming a reality, bringing people together through a shared commitment to support individuals with special needs.