There was more than just celebrating the holiday season during the Atkins Park Restaurant and Bar’s 11th Annual Santa Ride on Dec. 15 in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood.
Cyclists of all skill levels dressed up like Santa, Mrs. Claus, one of Santa’s elves, Rudolph or anything else that strikes their holiday fancy and decorated their bikes with lights and garland for a ride through Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods.
The eight-mile Santa Ride honors both the holiday season and Atkins Park’s owner, Warren Bruno, who lost his battle to lymphoma in 2012. Warren was an active member and team leader of Leukemia and Lymphoma’s local Team in Training cycling team. He was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2005, and he died in May 2012. The fundraiser benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, his charity of choice.
“Eleven years ago, this bike ride started as a fun way to gather friends, family and community together for an evening of costume wearing, cycling and fundraising,” said Sandra Spoon Bruno, owner of Atkins Park and Ormsby’s. Warren Bruno is her late husband.
This year’s event raised approximately $1,250 that will go towards LLS. The nonprofit organization aims to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. It is also the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer.
People can give back to the cause if they couldn’t participate this year by donating to the Santa Ride, or volunteer at the LLS office or give back in any other form to the organization.
“Warren absolutely loved life every day, every minute. His joy came naturally and was so infectious and inspirational to everyone he met,” said Sandra. “The hope is that as we ride through the streets at night all decked out in holiday costumes on brightly lit bikes playing holiday music and sending out Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays cheers to spectators we pass by, we bring a smile to their faces.”
In other news: Sparkmon & Associates CPAs, got into the spirit of the Christmas season this year and collected dolls, toys, books and other gifts for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald Houses in Atlanta. The staff also collected personal hygiene items to help those families who are spending their holidays at the Ronald McDonald Houses. The Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a home away from home for families of sick and injured children receiving care at local hospitals.
To donate to the Santa Ride: pages.teamintraining.org/ga/ambbr17/santaride.
To volunteer with LLS: wendi.verzosa@lls.org
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