MOVE4BGC

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courtesy Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County

Participants at a past MOVE4BGC event.

This annual summer fundraiser by Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is greatly expanding its scope in 2022. The morning features the expected bike rides, run and walk, along with yoga, at McKee Farms Park. The day doesn't end there, however; in the evening, Overture Center hosts a pair of events, including a concert at 6 p.m. by legendary Grammy-winning soul singer Gladys Knight and opener After 7; it's followed by the White Party at 8:30 p.m., with celebrity appearances and music by Dru Hill, Remedy and a DJ. For more info and tickets to each event, visit BGCDC.org.

media release: Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is excited to host our 20th annual MOVE4BGC (previously known as BIKE4BGC). This event will be a fun, in-person experience while following CDC and Dane County health guidelines. You can participate in a team or as an individual, and virtual participation will also be an option. Many different events to choose from whether you like to bike, run, walk or do yoga (new this year).

MOVE4BGC brings together family, friends, youth, and work places for an impactful campaign. Pledges raised support the ongoing mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County to provide programs that inspire and cultivate our youth to realize their full potential. Join us to promote active, healthy lifestyles while raising funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. 

• 50-mile Bike (Advanced): 7:30 am Start (Participants are not permitted to start the route after 7:45 am) *Watch this route for updates due to construction.
• 25-mile Bike (Intermediate): 7:45 am Start (Participants are not permitted to start the route after 8 am)
• 8-mile Bike (Family): 8:00 am Start (Participants are not permitted to start the route after 8:15 am)
• 5K Run: 8:15 am Start (Participants are not permitted to start the route after 8:30 am)
• 2-mile Walk: 8:40 am Start (Participants are not permitted to start the route after 8:45am)
• Drop In Yoga 10:00 am-12:00 pm  Do this alone or add on to an event!  (You are welcome to join at any time and participate for as long as you like) 

The MOVE4BGC campaign began as Trek for Kids 20 years ago, when Mary Burke and her family from Trek Bicycles wanted to expand their support for Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County beyond grants, sponsorships, bike clinics and giveaways. The idea was to create an annual event that would become a self-sustaining fundraiser for BGCDC.

Burke has a long history of supporting BGCDC, becoming its largest cumulative donor in the history of the organization, and serving in a variety of roles over the years, including board member and board chair and interim executive director. After a couple of years, the Trek for Kids campaign officially became Bike for Boys & Girls Clubs. Since then, it has become the largest family-friendly charity ride event in Dane County, with 700-1,000 participants each year.

“The event changes lives,” said Burke. “Over the last 20 years, it has been the largest source of funding for the Club, supporting thousands of young people in building successful futures.”

MOVE4BGCDC Chair Peter Gray said one of the things that makes this campaign unique is that it has a wide variety of events for everyone from a seasoned road cyclist to a weekend rider or runner. It is not just for athletes who train hard for long challenging rides – it’s for everyone.

“The idea behind BIKE4BGC always was that it has that component for people who are road cyclists, but it’s also a family-friendly event that anybody with bikes gathering dust in their garage can dust off those bikes and do,” Gray said.

The campaign faced a major challenge in the spring of 2020, when the pandemic brought so many aspects of normal life to a standstill. BGCDC scrambled to figure out how the campaign would look moving forward, not knowing how long the lockdown would last.

In response, the organization rebranded the campaign as MOVE4BGC, so walking, running, and moving virtually could be added. New this year is yoga, adding another dimension to the activities offered.“It’s much more than a bike  ride now,” said Gray.

This year’s fundraising goal is $700,000. These funds will support BGCDC's programs for different pathways to success for the youth in our community, ages 2.5 to 24.

“MOVE4BGC brings together family, friends, youth, and workplaces for an impactful campaign. Pledges raised support the ongoing mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County to provide programs that inspire and cultivate our youth to realize their full potential.” said Michael Johnson, President & CEO of BGCDC, “Join us to promote active, healthy lifestyles while raising funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County.”

The ride, run and walk events will be held at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg throughout the morning of July 16. That evening, Overture Center will host a special concert featuring Gladys Knight from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Empress of Soul will sing her greatest hits we’ve all come to love while helping to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs. The eight- time Grammy award winning star will put forth a show that Wisconsin will remember for years to come. The special guest will include the smooth stylings of R&B group, After 7 and others.

Once the concert is over, tickets can be purchased for the White Party, which is also held at The Overture Center from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. featuring musical guests Dru Hill and Remedy as well as celebrities Omar Gooding, Golden Brooks, and Pooch Hall. The only requirement is that you dress in white, enjoy the music from featured artist Dru Hill and get out on the dance floor and have a good time as our DJ spins your favorite songs. Your ticket to the White Party includes entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, photo booth and more. For more information on the MOVE4BGC events, including schedules, how to register, and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.BGCDC.org/move4BGCDC2022