Elks host Brotherhood Ride Sept. 14

Posted on September 7, 2018

The Perry Elks Lodge will host bicyclists participating in the 2018 Brotherhood Ride Friday, Sept. 14.

“This is the third time we have hosted this group at our Lodge. We are very honored to welcome the riders,” Lodge Secretary Earline Neeley said.

The Brotherhood Ride is a non-profit organization that consists of firefighters, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel who ride bicycles to honor emergency first responders who have died in the line of duty. Its mission is to provide emotional and financial support to the families on or near the anniversary of their death.

The 2018 is dedicated to 20 Florida “Fallen Heroes” who died in the line of duty while protecting their communities.

“Our team is honoring these officers by cycling through the state of Florida for seven days, covering more than 600 miles and averaging 80-100 miles a day. The ride began Sept. 9 from Naples. We are traveling up through the central part of the state and end on Sept. 15 in Tallahassee,” said Brotherhood Ride Founder and President Jeff Morse.

“The Brotherhood Ride continues the tradition of honor, dedication and pride. Over the past 10 years, we have honored the memory and sacrifice of 531 emergency first responders that includes firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel. Our team has traveled on bicycles more than 7,800 miles, through 16 states and have been hosted by over 40 Elks Lodges nationwide and assisted by countless emergency first responders who have shown the true meaning of brotherhood. Through year-round fund-raising efforts, the Brotherhood Ride has been able to honor the memory of fallen heroes and provide emotional and financial support to their families. We are proud to have donated some $400,000 to the families left behind,” he said.

The Brotherhood Ride is a non-profit organization. Other than the cost of conducting the rides, all donated proceeds go directly to the beneficiaries designated.