By Alan Spooner, Interim Development Director
Join us for our annual Gala & Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 28th, 2023, from 5:30 to 9:00pm at The Ridgeland Mansion in West Fairmount Park, our biggest fundraiser of the year.
As always, the evening will culminate with an introduction to our Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling Athlete of the Year followed by Central High’s very own Dr. Keith Leaphart (read more about Keith here), accepting the Maguire Award for his impact in our community in education, fitness, and youth development.
This will be your last chance to salute Sarah Clark Stuart for her leadership in growing the Coalition into what it is today—a powerhouse in moving the powers that be—to create better infrastructure and opportunity for everyone in our community.
It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss—an elegant evening of cocktails, three course plated dinner, award ceremony and live auction hosted by our dear friend and professional Master of Ceremonies Jeff Hammond. Unique cycling opportunities, bikes, gear, and surprises will be available in both our silent and live auction.
Special tributes to the Wednesday Night Rides crew and our Connect the Circuit awardees Christine Reuther and Elaine Paul Schaefer. Our youth cycling program founder Ryan Oelkers will accept the BCYC award in celebration of the ten-year anniversary when the Coalition adopted this program to teach leadership and advocacy skills to our community’s youth through the sport of cycling.
Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor Brandywine Realty Trust. Their CEO Gerard (Jerry Sweeney) will be joining our host committee along with Max Berger, Amy Branch & Jeff Benoliel, Jeff Braff & Hope Comisky, Ed Chang & Bonnie Chong, Gretchen & Gordon Cooney, Pat Cunnane & Madeleine Dean, Jason & Angela Duckworth, Anne Gordon & Phil Berman, La-Toya & Otis Hackney, Jerry & Julie Jacobs, Gail & Sandy Lipstein, Rep. Mustafa Rashed, former BCGP Board Chair Leslye Silver, Rep. John J. Taylor, and Reggie & Camille Waller.
We’re still accepting donations for our silent auction, and sponsorships and tribute ads are still available. See our event page for all opportunities and ticket portal. Please note: our deadline for tickets and sponsorship is a full two weeks in advance of the event, so lock in your seats and menu choices today!
Come in support of all of BCGP’s programming and a special fundraising opportunity for our BCYC Scholarship program founded by Jerry & Julie Jacobs.
I feel privileged to be returning to the Bicycle Coalition for one more ride to honor Sarah and community advocates like Keith. I hope to see you there!
PS—If you can’t attend but would like to pay a special tribute to Sarah, let me know alan@bicyclecoalition.org