FLORIDA — Some members of Kashi Ashram are training to participate in the Southern Most AIDS/HIV Ride 2013, known internationally as the SMART Ride, a unique event that makes a real and significant difference in the lives of those infected, affected, and at risk for HIV/AIDS.
The SMART Ride began more than eight years ago with the creation of a bicycle event where 100% of the monies raised could be used for direct services. Not one dime of any contribution goes to administrative or overhead costs.
So far, $4.2 million has been raised, all of which has been given back to the communities to assist with services for individuals infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
This year’s ride takes place Nov. 15-16 and covers the 165 mile journey from Miami to Key West over the course of two days. Participants come from across the state of Florida from as far south as Key West, as far north as Jacksonville, from Tampa to Palm Beach.
The event attracts 400 to 500 participants with each event, but thousands more are touched on the road as these dedicated riders travel between cities and towns, as well as through donations. In fact, nearly 10,000 people donated to the ride last year.
United Nations Statistics indicate that 40 million people worldwide are infected with AIDS, and that number could reach 200 million by 2020. Florida now has the 2nd highest incidence of HIV/AIDS in the nation.
Sadly, Florida also ranks #2 in the nation for Pediatric AIDS, and currently, many of our counties outrank most states in the nation for the number of cases of HIV/AIDS.
The agencies benefiting from The SMART Ride will use the money to provide direct services to those with HIV/AIDS, as well as educate those at the highest risk. This year’s hope is to raise $1,000,000, and Team Kashi has pledged to raise a minimum of $7,500 toward that goal.
The six members of Team Kashi are Mara Laxmi Ma Schiff, Baba Ram Mitchell, Kwang Mae Cho, Lisa Galloway, Dhumavati Jaya, and Durgaya Palmieri. Of the team members, only Mara Schiff has done this ride before. This will be her 5th time riding in this event.
When she moved to Kashi this past summer, she encouraged others to join her in doing it again as it not only represented an important event in her own life, but also built on the lifelong commitment of Kashi Ashram’s founder, Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, to supporting people living (and dying) with HIV/AIDS.
Team Kashi started training together in late August, gradually building up their miles to gain the stamina needed for the challenging two-day ride. They are now riding up to 90 miles per week in preparation for the event in November.
For decades, Kashi has been involved with supporting the HIV/AIDS community. Team Kashi members are grateful to be able to use their health to help others whose health is compromised in this way.
“I train and will take part in the Smart Ride in honor of Ma Jaya, whose passions included personal fitness and health, as well as longtime advocacy and support of the HIV/AIDS community,” Dhumavati said.
Come meet and support the team at The Chop House on Oct. 29, beginning at 6 p.m. The restaurant will be offering a delectable prix fixe meal including a salad, entrée, side, and dessert for $37, a portion of which will help support Team Kashi in the Smart Ride.
To donate directly to Team Kashi, please visit the website at http://TheSmartRide.org, select Donate, and then look us up under Kashi or Team Kashi.
Generous sponsors thus far include Nozzle Nolen, Sustainable Kashi, and Metro1 Properties. There are still opportunities to support the team and have your business name printed directly on our team jerseys.
For more information, please call Dhumavati at (772) 589-1403 ext. 110.