News and Events
Tampa Midtown Rotary Club to Host 11th Annual Cycling for Autism
On Saturday, October 22, 2022, the Tampa Midtown Rotary Club will host its 11th Annual Cycling for Autism to support programs at the University of South Florida focused on helping individuals with autism and their families. Tampa’s Nick Hall, who has completed four cross-country bicycle trips to raise funds for Rotary International’s efforts to end polio, will serve as the Grand Marshal.
“In 2009, Tampa Midtown Rotary club made the decision to support autism services in our community,” said Ted Hamilton, Chair of Cycling for Autism 2022. “Fundraising efforts through our annual cycling event have helped raise over $200,000 for programs at the University of South Florida, including the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) master’s and PhD programs, and the Tampa Midtown Rotary Foundation. We are proud to help them enhance their work in delivering education, services, and support to individuals and their families.”
“CARD builds community capacity to support and include individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. Tampa Midtown Rotary provides the funding to help CARD do just that every day here in southwest Florida and we are extremely grateful for their confidence in our ability to be a good steward of their donations,” said Christine Rover, Assistant Director of Community Programs at CARD. “Funds have been used to support CARD’s bike safety and helmet giveaways and young adults with autism in our Learning Academy programs have also benefited from previous events. The 2022 event proceeds will support CARD’s safety projects that include wandering prevention and drowning prevention.”
Funds given to the ABA program support a scholarship fund for graduate students. The most recent recipient used the funds to complete her research on enhancing parent participation, improving behavioral services and access to services for Hispanic children with autism, and helping kids with autism cope with teaching demands.
“We are proud to be able to offer this scholarship to well-deserving students,” said ABA Director Dr. Raymond Miltenberger. “As we continue to build the knowledge base about effective interventions for individuals with autism, we appreciate the fundraising efforts of the Tampa Midtown Rotary.”
Due to the pandemic, the last Cycling for Autism event was held in 2019 and had over 200 riders enjoying the scenic Courtney Campbell Causeway.
“We look forward to seeing our past riders, new riders, their supporters and our sponsors in October,” said Hamilton. “October will be a beautiful time of year to ride along the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail and enjoy the festivities afterwards at Whiskey Joe’s Restaurant. We hope to see many new families and riding teams this year.”
To learn more about Cycling for Autism riding teams and sponsorships, contact midtownrotarycycling@gmail.com.