Dignity/Boston Hits the Road to Make a Difference

October 1, 2012

by

DignityUSA

<p><img alt= src=/sites/default/files/logos/Boston.jpg style=width: 84px; height: 62px; float: right; margin: 5px; />The chief concerns of members of <a href=http://www.dignityboston.org/>Dignity/Boston</a> on a mid-September weekend were Gatorade muscle strength lung capacity the weather energy bars and route maps. Nearly 40 members of the Chapter hit the roads and walkways of Massachusetts to raise funds and awareness and to demonstrate the community&rsquo;s commitment to two causes.</p> <p>On September 15-16 Dignity/Boston&rsquo;s teams participated in the 10th annual <a href=http://www.harbortothebay.org>Harbor to the Bay</a> fundraising bicycle ride to benefit four Massachusetts HIV/AIDS organizations and Let&rsquo;s Move Together Boston Arthritis Walk to raise funds for research treatment and advocacy.</p> <p>The <a href=https://www.harbortothebay.org/team.asp?id=3>Cardinal Sins</a> Dignity/Boston&rsquo;s cycling team and crew was 33 members strong. Seven cyclists from Dignity/Boston rode a 62-mile route or a 125-mile route from Boston to Provincetown MA. And 26 crew volunteers fulfilled a range of functions. from serving on the steering committee (a year-round commitment) to serving as route guides pit stop organizers and providing rider safety and support.</p> <p>Collectively the Cardinal Sins riders and crew have raised more than $11700 through individual outreach for sponsorship a chapter fundraiser and second collection at liturgy. Harbor to the Bay which delivers every penny of donated funds directly to the AIDS organizations without taking a slice for DignityUSAistration has raised more than $471000 so far this year with donations being sought through the end of the year. This is the Boston Chapter&rsquo;s sixth year participating in Harbor to the Bay with more members joining in each year.</p> <p>With approximately one third of the Chapter involved in Harbor to the Bay on Saturday 9/15 the chapter was also represented in the Sunday 9/16 <a href=http://bostonarthritiswalk.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=491826>Boston Arthritis Walk</a> with six walkers on <a href=http://bostonarthritiswalk.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=491826&amp;lis=1&amp;kntae491826=E0B2263148744B948C9A7E10D33B0C4E&amp;team=5156332&amp;tlteam=0>Team/Boston</a> headed by DignityUSA president Lourdes-Rodriguez-Nogues which has raised more than $3500 toward the overall $176000 raised so far.</p> <p>With these two events falling on the same weekend some members of the Chapter got into position in the pre-dawn hours on Saturday to serve as route guides to cyclists in Harbor to the Bay and then did the Arthritis Walk the following morning.</p> <p>Sunday evening&rsquo;s liturgy found many members tired maybe a little sore but proud that the Chapter in celebrating its 40th anniversary had put about 40 members of the Chapter into action in service to the broader community in just one weekend. And next year they&rsquo;ll be back.</p> <p>If you feel moved please support the <a href=http://www.harbortothebay.org/team.asp?id=3>Cardinal Sins</a> or <a href=http://bostonarthritiswalk.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=491826&amp;lis=1&amp;kntae491826=E0B2263148744B948C9A7E10D33B0C4E&amp;team=5156332&amp;tlteam=0>Dignity/Boston&#39;s arthritis walk team</a>.</p>