Meet Our Ride for Kids New Co-Chair
Good friend and supporter of the agency, Christine Rose, joins Keith Carroll as this year's co-chair of the RFK Ride for Kids Committee. We sat with Christine recently to find out why she volunteers her time and why the Ride for Kids is important to her.
|
Christine Rose and Paul Woods at our
Embracing the Legacy event, 2011 |
How did you first become involved in the RFK Children's Action Corps?
I was introduced to the agency when I started working at State Street (then Investors Bank and Trust) in 2006 through my boss and RFK board member, Paul Woods. He mentioned a volunteer opportunity at the agency's annual Fairway for Kids golf tournament and I took him up on it. After meeting the staff and learning more about the agency I knew it would be a good fit for me. That summer I was invited to visit the Lancaster Campus. I will never forget that trip. While I was there a young boy with blond curly hair took my hand and asked me if I wanted to see his room. I was hooked. That fall was the first year I participated in the Ride for Kids and this year will be my sixth.
What do you like most about the Ride for Kids?
It's fun! I've done similar events and this is my favorite. Everyone is in good spirits from the volunteers who greet riders at 6am, to the volunteers at the rest stops throughout the day, community members cheering from their front porches, and of course the RFK Road Crew! During the BBQ Party at the end of the day I always take a minute to think about how many riders are there for the various agencies but at the end of the day everyone is there for the same reason, to help kids. That's when I go over to the RFK table and tell them to sign me up for next year!
What does it mean to you to ride on behalf of kids?
I look at it this way, if by me getting up just a little earlier for Committee meetings and a spending a few summer Saturday's training makes a child's life just a little better, then it is all worth it.
What do you hope to accomplish as Ride for Kids Co-Chair?
I'm so excited to serve as co-chair this year with Keith Carroll, an RFK Board Member. We've already had two awesome committee meetings where everyone is energetic and brings new ideas to the table about how we can do more. This year my goal is to reach out to new sponsors and secure at least two new teams. I want to reach people who have never heard about RFK Children's Action Corps or the Ride for Kids and show them what they are missing! I also am working to recruit more riders to join Team State Street.
Why do you think people should get involved?
The question should be why wouldn't someone want to get involved? I feel very fortunate to have family and friends who have supported me throughout my life. Most of the kids who benefit from the Ride for Kids do not. Knowing that there is an opportunity nearby to have fun, get outside, and help kids...so again, why wouldn't you get involved?
A little Extra...
Besides hanging out with friends and family (including 19 cousins and her sister!), Christine likes to spend summer weekends on the Cape, days at the beach and time with girlfriends. Her favorite bike trail is Shining Sea bike path in Falmouth, MA. She says it's the best because it's not only beautiful, as it goes along the beach, but Seafood Sam's is along the way for a pit stop, which makes the 20 mile ride a little easier!
To learn more and to get involved in the 2011 Ride for Kids, click here.