Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Tim Emond returns for Ride for AIDS
by Ross Forman, Windy City Times
2014-07-08

This article shared 3913 times since Tue Jul 8, 2014
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Tim Emond has a lofty goal for the 2014 Ride For AIDS Chicago, the two-day, 200-mile bicycle ride produced by and benefitting the Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) and community partners.

He's aiming to raise $5,000.

This is Emond's second consecutive year riding. He is 34, lives in north suburban Glenview and works at Kraft Foods' corporate headquarters in Northfield as the manager of affirmative action and compliance, thus, he works with the company's diversity & inclusion team to drive employee resource group strategy and initiatives.

"I know people [who are HIV-positive] and I know how important the services and programs that TPAN offer are," Emond said. "I am committed to helping TPAN raise money so [the organization] can continue providing these services and educating the community. In addition, it is important that we fight the stigma that is associated with having HIV/AIDS which prevents many from [even] getting tested."

Emond also was a rider for Team TPAN in 2013, and this year he is a team captain.

"I enjoy working directly with the TPAN staff and supporting their efforts with the Ride," said Emond, who noted that Kraft Foods Group, Inc. is a sponsor of the Ride, and donates product for training rides and event weekend.

The 2014 Ride For AIDS Chicago is July 12-13.

Emond said the 2013 Ride was "very challenging physically," especially the hilly terrain. But, "the support of the other riders and crew encouraged me to keep pedaling," he said.

And watching others complete the strenuous journey was a highlight for Emond.

"People [living] with HIV/AIDS don't get to take a day off from the disease, so I will continue riding or volunteering for the Ride until there is no longer a need to do so," he said. "I believe it's important to be part of something bigger than yourself. Helping others has always been something I've enjoyed and if I can help educate others in the community or raise funds so that someone gets the medical services they need, I am happy to do it."

Meg Valenti, a four-time Ride participant, knew immediately that Emond would be a perfect fit for the Ride family.

"We knew from the first time we met Tim that he was a keeper," said Valenti, who rides along with her husband, Fred. "Tim is smart and funny, and jumped in [for the cause] with both feet. He has been actively fund-raising, training and volunteering.

"Then there is Tim's homemade granola, made especially for the training rides.

"Tim has been a positive role model and a consistent presence supporting TPAN and its mission in the HIV community. He truly embodies what being part of the Ride is all about."

Emond said the 2014 event has been a challenging training journey, due to the weather and his work schedule. "But I am confident that I will be able to complete the Ride," he said.

Annual Ride for

AIDS Chicago is

July 12-13

By Ross Forman

The 2014 Ride For AIDS Chicago is expecting 330 riders for the two-day, 200-mile bicycle ride, including more than 100 first-time riders.

There also are more than 110 crew members aiding the event.

Combined, the group has raised about $680,000.

The 11th annual Ride, produced and supporting the Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ), is July 12-13.

"The highlight of this year's event is going to be camp," after the first 100 miles, said Richard Cordova, TPAN's director of athletic events, now involved in his seventh Ride. "We've got a lot of fun activities planned for camp this year. The riders and crew are going to excited when they see what we have waiting for them."

And when the entourage hits the finish line in Evanston, emotions will be high, as usual.

"Seeing the riders crossing the finish line is always an emotional experience for me. Seeing their faces when you place the medal across their neck always brings a smile to my face," said Cordova, 36, one of several openly HIV-positive participants in the annual fundraiser.

Riders can wear an orange bandana to signify they are HIV-positive, a Ride tradition started a few years ago. There also will be orange bike flags this year. "I think we'll see at least 15 or more riders and crew wearing the bandanas/flags," Cordova said.

George Titterton, 54, who lives in Andersonville, is riding in his second Ride—and is the top fundraiser, having already raised more than $10,000.

Patty Dahlquist, who lives in Edgewater and has raised more than $2,000, is one of the top first-time riders. "She's energetic, fun, and passionate about the cause," Cordova said. "She posts a daily, positive affirmation on Facebook, which I always enjoy reading. Meeting her in person you realize that she's as positive as her Facebook posts."

Although organizers of the ride have a long-term goal of raising $1 million, Cordova said it likely will not happen this year, but "it will happen [eventually]," he said.


This article shared 3913 times since Tue Jul 8, 2014
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Red Stars start season with 2-0 win
2024-03-17
On March 16, the Chicago Red Stars kicked off their 2024 campaign with a 2-0 road win over Utah Royals FC in the Royals' inaugural match back in the National Women's Soccer League. Ally Schlegel and ...


Gay News

College athletes sue NCAA over transgender policies
2024-03-15
Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was among a group of college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on March 14, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas ...


Gay News

SPORTS Red Stars prepare to kick off NWSL season against Utah Royals
2024-03-15
It's been a busy winter for the Red Stars, and it's time to put their work to the test. Following a last place finish in the 2023 NWSL season, Chicago has had an active offseason transforming ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars release 2024 roster
2024-03-13
CHICAGO (March 13, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced today their final roster ahead of the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. The club's roster is bolstered by an array of experience brought not ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars release midfielder Jill Aguilera
2024-03-12
--From a press release - CHICAGO (March 11, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars today announced the release of midfielder, Jill Aguilera. "I want to thank Jill for her time with the Red Stars," said general manager, Richard Feuz. "Over her ...


Gay News

Longtime LGBTQ+-rights activist David Mixner dies at 77
2024-03-12
On March 11, longtime LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activist David Mixner—known for working on Bill Clinton's presidential campaign but then splitting from him over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT)—died at age 77, The Advocate reported. ...


Gay News

Trans golfer banned from competing
2024-03-08
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson spoke out on Instagram after the NXXT Women's Pro Tour suddenly announced on March 8 (International Women's Day) that participants must be "a biological female at birth" in order to compete—banning D ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars sign midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth
2024-03-06
Press release - CHICAGO (March 6, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of draftee and midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth. Nesbeth, Chicago's first-round and tenth overall draft pick in the 2024 National ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars announce partnership with Wintrust
2024-02-27
Press release - CHICAGO (Feb. 27, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars and Wintrust Financial Corporation announced a partnership that will see Wintrust become the club's new front-of-jersey partner and community outreach investment ...


Gay News

HIV criminal laws disproportionately impact Black men in Mississippi
2024-02-21
--From a press release - A new report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that at least 43 people in Mississippi were arrested for HIV-related crimes between 2004 and 2021. Half of all arrests in the state ...


Gay News

Chicago Bears hire first woman assistant coach
2024-02-21
The Chicago Bears are hiring Jennifer King as an offensive assistant, according to The Chicago Sun-Times and other media outlets. She will be an assistant running backs coach. King—who will become the first female assistant coach ...


Gay News

Brittney Griner's jersey retired at Baylor University
2024-02-20
On Feb. 18, Baylor University retired Brittney Griner's #42 jersey. Griner—a two-time AP national player of the year, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the NCAA women's career blocks leader (with 748)—attended a Bears home game ...


Gay News

'West Side Story' gets a sex-positive spin with new burlesque show
2024-02-19
In partial observance of National Condom Day, which was Feb. 14, Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) presented A West Side Story Burlesque at the Harris Theater for two hour-long performances on Feb. 17. The show, ...


Gay News

Six Chicago Red Stars called for international play
2024-02-15
CHICAGO (Feb. 15, 2024) — Six Chicago Red Stars—Jill Aguilera, Julia Bianchi, Sam Fisher, Natalia Kuikka, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson—have been called up to represent their respective countries during ...


Gay News

$200,000+ raised at AIDS Foundation Chicago's World of Chocolate Fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS
2024-02-13
--From a press release - (Chicago, IL) More than 950 guests gathered at Chicago's famed Union Station (500 W. Jackson) for Chicago's Sweetest Fundraiser, AIDS Foundation Chicago's (AFC), World of Chocolate on Friday, February 9. ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.