Motorcyclists and car enthusiasts will take to the streets for the second annual Arthur Szymanski Memorial Charity Ride & Drive in Bayville Sunday, Sept. 27. The event, dedicated to inspiring hope and raising funds for individuals and families affected by cancer, is held in tribute to Szymanski, who raised his family in Surf City, where they lived for over 20 years. Szymanski passed away from cancer in January 2014.
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| Photo by Jack Reynolds The Szymanskis enjoy a nice ride in honor of Arthur at last year's event. |
“Cancer does not discriminate; it affects everyone across the board and doesn’t care about gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or whether you are good and kind. It is lethal,” said Szymanski’s wife, Karen, who organized the event with her three children, Steve, Sean and Kaitlyn.
“Because Arthur had a passion for motorcycles, we decided to honor his memory with a ride,” Karen said. “He would have loved this. ... It’s not the yacht club; it’s a little different, but this is just who we are.”
The ride will start at noon at Central Regional Middle School, located at 509 Forest Hills Parkway in Bayville. Drivers will ride out to Chatsworth, where Szymanski used to travel for a root beer snow cone with his son Sean every Sunday, Karen noted. The ride will end at the Captain’s Inn Waterfront Tiki Bar, located at 304 East Lacey Rd. in Forked River, where riders and non-riders alike can enjoy a full hot and cold buffet, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and live music by Sneak Attack (Szymanski’s son Steve is the drummer). In the event of rain, the after-party will take place inside the restaurant.
The first event, held last year, raised $8,000, which the family donated to Oceans of Love as well as The Van Dyke Hospice Program at Barnabas Health Community Medical Center in Toms River; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The event included 88 motorcyclists as well as 200 guests. This year the family hopes to double the number of participants.
“We are just a family that’s trying to do good,” said Karen. “It’s so sad. You meet these people, and they’re struggling with not only the illness but with everything. You’re trying to process what is happening, and you’re watching someone die. Your bills don’t stop, life doesn’t stop, and it’s hard for people. You try really hard, and you think you’re bringing them to the best doctors, and sometimes it still doesn’t work out.
“We know in our hearts this is the right thing to do, and by giving back we can help others hopefully win their cancer battle,” she added.
Registration for the event will begin at the middle school at 10 a.m. Tickets, which include a commemorative bracelet, cost $15 for riders and $5 for passengers. Admission to the after-party costs $25.
Event-goers can also purchase a commemorative T-shirt for an additional $10.
For more information, go to facebook.com/aszymanskimemorialrideanddrive or email aszymanskimemorialrideanddrive@gmail.com.
— Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
This article was published in The SandPaper.
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