Premier Cycling Fundraiser for Mental Health Surpassed $1 Million Milestone in 2022
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 15, 2023) – The Ride for Mental Health, a weekend cycling event benefiting mental health awareness and services, returns to the scenic Hudson Valley in New Paltz, New York June 24-25. The event is coasting on a wave of momentum after crossing the $1 million fundraising threshold in 2022. French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s leading independently held public relations and integrated marketing agencies, is once again handling PR efforts, shining a light on The Ride’s mission and impact for the second consecutive year.
Founded in 2017 by New York City attorney and avid cyclist Mac Dorris, The Ride has emerged as the premier cycling event in the U.S. devoted exclusively to mental health. The weekend is an annual homecoming for a growing community of riders, volunteers, sponsors, friends and family, many of whom have moving stories and personal motivation for participating. In addition to its marketing support, FWV will be sponsoring The Ride for the second year in a row.
“The Ride is a fun weekend and a meaningful way to help end the stigma associated with mental illness,” said Dorris, who created the Ride for Mental Health in honor of his late son, Eric, who struggled with mental disorders. “FWV has been an important part of our team and our collective efforts to make a difference by building a national community of support.”
In addition to a 14-mile “family fun ride” and fully supported road courses of 25, 50 and 100 miles winding through the picturesque countryside surrounding New Paltz, there is also the option for anyone, anywhere to ride virtually through the Strava cycling app. All participants receive a custom-designed Hincapie cycling jersey and proceeds from registration fees help facilitate mental health research, treatment and education programs through McLean Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School and the nation’s No. 1-rated psychiatric hospital.
“The Ride for Mental Health is a terrific event that is having significant impact through the programs at McLean that benefit mental health services around the world,” said FWV Chairman & CEO Rick French. “We are proud to partner with The Ride and amplify Mac’s inspiring story.”
Corporate and community organizations, groups, teams and individuals can participate in The Ride for Mental Health, whether in person or virtually, and create their own fundraising pages. Sponsorships for 2023 are still available and volunteer inquiries are welcome. Details can be found at RideforMentalHealth.org, by emailing info@rideformentalhealth.org and by following The Ride on Instagram, Facebook and Strava.
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is one of the nation’s leading public relations, public affairs, advertising and digital media agencies. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., and founded in April 1997, FWV has received 25 National Agency of the Year honors over the past quarter century, along with more than 1,500 PR, advertising and digital marketing awards on behalf of its global roster of blue-chip clients, which include Wrangler, ABB, Proximo, Melitta, Teen Cancer America, Mitsubishi Electric, N.A. and the N.C. Department of Transportation, among others. FWV is the parent company of fashion and lifestyle PR firm AMP3 (New York City); mobility and transportation-focused agency The Millerschin Group (Detroit); pet and animal health practice FWV Fetching; outdoor, ski, fashion, technology and consumer brand marketing agency CGPR (Greater Boston) and feature film development imprint Prix Productions. FWV is a partner in IPREX, a $380 million network of communication agencies with 1,600 staff and 110 offices worldwide. For more information, visit fwv-us.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Vimeo or Instagram.
About The Ride for Mental Health
The Ride for Mental Health was founded by New York City attorney Mac Dorris, inspired by his son, Eric. A bright and funny boy, Eric struggled with mental health issues as a young man. He was eventually diagnosed with borderline personality disorder among other conditions, and tragically died of an accidental overdose at the age of 21 while an outpatient at McLean Hospital. Mac, an avid cyclist, created The Ride to honor his son’s life, and to shine a light of hope and caring for others. Eric’s memory lives on in the important work being funded by The Ride for Mental Health, and in the moments of connection and camaraderie that make the event so rewarding.
