Community Corner
Boy Scout Troop 37 Biking to Niagara Falls to Raise Money for Parkinson's Research
The Geneva Boy Scout troop is raising money for the Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson's Research through their 750 mile trek to Niagara Falls.
Scouts of Boy Scout Troop 37, of Geneva will be riding 750 miles to Niagara Falls on bike and supporting the for Parkinson’s Research. The ride will begin on July 21, and conclude around Aug. 5, back in Geneva. Seventeen Scouts and adults will be riding the trip.
Jacob Volk, a rising sophomore at , presented this project to the scoutmaster as a possible “High Adventure” trip for this year. Jacob’s presentation and project was chosen, and Jacob became the trip coordinator for the bike ride.
Jacob is one of the younger scouts making the trip and is excited to help out the as well as participate in an exciting trip. “I like being in charge and putting it all together to make everything happen," he said. As coordinator, he is responsible for keeping track of practices, working with the foundation, and organizing and communicating the details of the trip.
The trip, which was taken several years ago is one of many possible High Adventure trips the troop can choose to take. The last bike ride to Niagara Falls benefitted the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and raised more than $8,000 in support of that foundation.
This year, the foundation that was chosen was the Paul Ruby Foundation. Jacob Chally, who graduated from Geneva High School this past May, suggested they donate their money to the Paul Ruby Foundation. He got the idea from board member Kevin Brouilette’s involvement with the foundation and thought it was a great cause to donate to.
The boys will raise money through sponsorships, and are looking to raise $12,000 to help find a cure for Parkinson’s. The sponsorship form can be found on the Paul Ruby Foundation website at www.paulrubyfoundation.org.
The boys in the troop are very active, and the bike trip is just another facet of their physical activity. The boys will raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease research as they travel through six states and Canada by handing out brochures about the research and efforts of the paul Ruby Foundation. On the way up to Niagara Falls, the ride the whole way, and on the return, they take the train home.
“Getting to bond and helping an excellent cause is my favorite part of the trip," says adult rider Jacob Chally.
The boys are also looking for donations of energy bars for their trip. Contact dawn@paulrubyfoundation.org for more information or to help out the Boy Scouts with their great endeavor.
