For the sixth year in a row, sheriff’s deputies will join the community for barbecue and horse riding.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is holding its annual Cops Against Cancer Trail Ride on Saturday, Feb. 20. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the event date.
Deputy Perry Koon said all proceeds go to the Climb for Cancer Foundation. He also said the event is funded by local businesses rather than ticket sales.
“We’ve been blessed to do that up to this point, and hopefully we can continue,” he said.
Ron and Dianne Farb started the Climb for Cancer Foundation in 2003. They supported cancer research through Ron’s mountain climbing. He climbed the highest mountains on five continents and raised more than $1.5 million for the foundation’s programs, according to its website.
“We have been partners with them ever since, and we love them to death,” Koon said.
Koon said 40 riders registered the first year, and 102 riders registered last year.
Looking forward, Dianne hopes even more riders will come to enjoy the trail rides, barbecue, music and raffles.
She said some of the money goes to Harriet’s Helping Hand, another program founded by the Farbs to provide cancer patients with gas cards, food vouchers and housing.
Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Ranger Station Area, located at 12720 NW 109th Lane in Alachua, adjacent to the main entrance. Park rangers and the ACSO Rural Park Services will lead the ride at 10 a.m.
Koon said that the event would not be successful without community support.
“There’s no way I can sit here and name the number of people that help make this event possible,” he said.
