This year, the Bigs in Blue at the Worcester Police Department have put a team together to participate in the Rodman Ride for Kids taking place on September 21st, 2019. Rodman for Kids is an umbrella charity that works as a catalyst to help youth-focused social service organizations raise additional funds for the at-risk youth they serve here in Massachusetts. The Ride serves as a unique vehicle for collaboration and fundraising for 40 affiliate charities. This will be the Ride’s 29th year. Big Brothers Big Sisters has been fortunate to be involved for many of those years.
The Rodman Ride for Kids has become our top fundraising event, now raising over $110,000 each year. In order to continue to increase the success of this event, we rely on volunteers who participate as riders or virtual riders and donate their time, energy, and resources. This year, we have ten teams participating. We are especially excited that our Bigs from the Bigs in Blue program at the Worcester Police Department has registered a team. Bigs in Blue is a one-to-one mentoring program that connects youth with police in our communities, building strong, trusting, lasting relationships. These relationships can help children develop into confident adults and help build stronger bonds between law enforcement and the families they serve.
It is wonderful to watch the partnership with the Worcester Police Department continue to grow since launching the program in the Fall of 2018. There are currently 7 Worcester Police Officers who volunteer as Bigs and we will be starting a new recruitment class this Fall in addition to those 7 matches. When we approached the department with the idea of a Bigs in Blue team for the Rodman Ride, there was no hesitation! There was one Big who has been a Champion for the program and we knew would be the perfect team captain, Tim Segur. Tim has been a great Big Brother to his Little often enjoying Celtics and Red Sox games through ticket donations.
When asked why he enjoys being a Big Brother, Tim said, “I love being a positive influence and teaching my Little that there is so much potential in his life and that he isn’t limited by his environment.” Tim and his Little love doing everything related to being outdoors. They go kayaking, hiking, swimming, and snowboarding.
The team has set a goal of $15,000 which is a remarkable goal to reach for their first year participating. Tim said, “It’s important for me to ride because I want to raise awareness for the Bigs in Blue program and hopefully encourage other police officers to get involved.” Fundraising for the Rodman Ride closes on November 15th, 2019. For more information, please visit: rodmanforkids.org. If you are interested in donating to the Bigs In Blue team, please visit: rodmanrideforkids.donordrive.com/team/5088.