SJC Honored by Ride for Life

February 25, 2014 LI

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. FEBRUARY 26, 2014 Ride for Life, an organization dedicated to fighting ALS, has announced that it will honor St. Josephs College (SJC) and Gail Lamberta, Ph.D., associate academic dean and chair of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at SJC in the Education category at its Annual Ride for Life Kick-Off Fundraiser on Thursday, March 20 at Lombardis on the Sound in Port Jefferson, N.Y. 

Established in 1998, Ride for Life is a 150-mile wheelchair and scooter ride from Montauk to Manhattan to benefit those affected by ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Each year, Ride for Life, led by patient and advocate Chris Pendergast, has stopped at SJC on its trek across Long Island where the Colleges Recreation Club has provided the riders with lunch and, in certain instances, monetary donations.

"I am humbled and honored to receive this award recognizing SJCs support of Ride for Life, said Dr. Lamberta. "I was introduced to Chris Pendergast through a dear friend more than 20 years ago and have always admired his dedication, commitment and courage. Chris is a remarkable human being and has touched so many lives throughout his journey as an educator and with Ride for Life.

This years Ride for Life event will begin on Monday, May 5, with a brief stop on the way at SJCs Long Island Campus on Wednesday, May 7. For more information, visit Ride-for-Life.org, email [email protected] or call 631.444.1292.