Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia

Ride and Stride for Wishes: August 29

Cyclists and walkers of all ages and abilities are invited to join the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois on Sunday, August 29, 2010 for the 6^th Annual Ride and Stride for Wishes. Starting and ending at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, the walk and bicycle routes will pass through Chicago's scenic North Shore. All funds raised will help grant wishes to Illinois children who are battling life-threatening medical conditions.

Registration is now open at http://www.rideandstrideforwishes.org/ for both individuals and teams and is $35 per adult and $10 for children 10 and under. Make-A-Wish Children who have received a wish in the past or will be receiving a wish are able to ride for free. Registration includes refreshments at fully staffed rest stops along the 10 and 35-mile routes. Food, music, fun activities, and much more will be available for all registered participants or teams at the conclusion of the rides.

Teams have the choice of four different routes. The longer 35-Mile bicycle ride that flows through the Cook County Forest Preserve begins at 8:00 a.m. offers casual and experienced cyclists fun challenges. The 10-Mile bicycle route allows cyclists of all fitness levels to participate, beginning at 9:30 a.m. A 3-mile walk will begin striding at 10:00am. The fun-filled Children's Parade will kick off at 11:00am and merrily wind its way through Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center. Families are encouraged to come early and decorate bicycles, tricycles, wheel chairs, strollers, and big wheels at the Make-A-wish Decoration Creation Station before the parade begins.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. Since being founded locally in 1985, the Foundation has granted more than 9,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish^® with special children across Illinois. For information, visit http://www.wishes.org/ or call 312.602.9412.