August 2, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtney Satlak
630-978-4912
csatlak@rsh.net
Rush-Copley Rolling on the River
First Annual Illinois Ride for the Environment
(Aurora, Ill.) – Cyclists, families and those just looking for fun this Labor Day don't need to look further than Kendall County. Rolling on the River, an exciting and meaningful cycling event, is taking place over Labor Day weekend (September 1-3) and will be headquartered at the 406-acre Hoover Outdoor Education Center in Yorkville.
The event will feature looped tours of the scenic Fox River Valley roads with lengths from 10 to 100 miles. Cyclists of all skill levels will experience gently rolling hills, rural roads and woodlands with rest stops that include Silver Springs State Park and the Fox Valley Winery Vineyard.
"Rush-Copley is proud to be the title sponsor of this fun and meaningful event for the environment," said Barry C. Finn, President and CEO of Rush-Copley Medical Center. "As a partner of the Yorkville community and the greater Fox Valley, we strongly support the preservation of the area's beauty and resources."
Cyclists will be raising funds to improve and protect the Illinois environment in this first ever event of its kind. Three well-known, non-profit groups will benefit from the proceeds including the Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund, Prairie Rivers Network and Illinois Stewardship Alliance. Collectively the missions of these groups address key issues affecting the health and safety of the people and wildlife of Illinois.
Event Director Marise Robbins-Forbes says Rolling on the River is a great Labor Day weekend destination with activities that people of all ages will enjoy.
"We designed this to appeal to the athlete seeking a challenge as well as families looking for an all-inclusive weekend of fun," said Robbins-Forbes. "Activities like camping, canoeing and kayaking on the Fox River as well as nordic walking are available for attendees to experience."
Fun activities for kids include flycasting clinics, storytelling, arts and crafts and stargazing with Naperville Astronomical Association. Attendees can join Openlands to learn how bugs and larvae can be used to measure the health of rivers and streams. The Illinois Raptor Center will also have education seminars on a variety of birds including owls and hawks. A select group of early registrants will be able to moonlight canoe courtesy of Friends of the Fox.
In addition, Yorkville's Hometown Days Festival (September 1-3) is less than 10 minutes away. To register for the event or for more information, visit rollingriverride.com.
About Rush-Copley
Rush-Copley Medical Center is located on the Rush-Copley Medical Center campus, 2000 Ogden Ave. (Route 34) in Aurora. The 183-bed hospital offers inpatient and outpatient care and progressive technology. Rush-Copley is a member of the Rush-System for Health.
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