The ALS Ride for Life kicked off ALS Awareness Month and their annual tour event at Leo F. Giblyn Elementary School to raise awareness and help find a cure for ALS. This is the ninth year the organization has stopped at the elementary school on their Ride for Life tour.
Students and staff eagerly awaited the organization's arrival, congregating on the
school’s front lawn to welcome the organization with beautiful signs showing their support. Wearing the color blue or a Yankees shirt to honor Lou Gehrig everyone cheered “Strike out ALS” as members of the ALS Ride for Life rode down South Ocean Avenue, followed closely behind by the Giblyn step team.
Members of the ALS Ride for Life organization spoke to the students about the disease and how the organization works to raise awareness and funds to find a cure. Giblyn Principal Ms. Amy Lederer announced that the Giblyn ALS coin drive raised $2,000 for the organization.
Ms. Shannon Abramovitz, music teacher, then led the entire school in a moving performance of the song “You-Nique” which celebrates how everyone is different for the ALS Ride for Life members.
Closing the event, Paul Weisman, who is an ALS Ride for Life board member and an individual living with ALS, said, “There is nowhere else we would rather start the 2024 ALS Ride for Life than with all of you at Giblyn Elementary School. You are where hope comes from, and you encourage us to keep going. Thank you for all you do to support the ALS Ride for Life.”
In addition, as a token of appreciation, all students who raised more than $10 during the fundraising campaign were entered into a drawing for the honorary positions of principal and assistant principal for the day. Third grader Olivia Daniels assumed the role of principal, shadowing Ms. Lederer, while fourth grade student Julian Jean-Louis was appointed assistant principal and spent the day alongside Ms. Johanna Bowers.