Ride season is not the only time Anchor House Foundation Ride for Runaways participants volunteer to support Anchor House. For instance, our recent blog talks about how both Ride participants Matt Polizzotto and Griff Humphreys volunteer their time and talents as members of the Anchor House Board.
One of the many ways Ride participants have supported Anchor House is by sharing their talents, like photography. Most recently, Rich Armington, who celebrated his 10th anniversary as a Rider and is also an avid photographer, captured beautiful photos for this year’s Impact Report. Rich has also connected us with Hopewell Presbyterian Church, where we have been able to speak with the congregation, whose members also support our Shelter. John Noon, an experienced shutterbug and longtime member of the Ride Support Team, took amazing photos for the 2024 Impact Report. The photos Rich and John have taken are also being used for other marketing and promotional purposes.
Below are some other ways Ride participants support Anchor House throughout the year.
On the Ride, Tom Florek is the videographer who captures the daily recap of the Ride. At the Anchor House Shelter, Tom is better known as half of the dynamic volunteer duo, Tom and Simon (Tom is pictured on the right of Simon). Tom has been volunteering almost every Wednesday evening at the Shelter for over three decades.
You may have seen the beautiful photos taken by Jeanne Imbrigiotta, who volunteers as a Ride photographer. But did you know she is a talented artist? She has created artwork that adorns the walls at Anchor House, including most recently, this beautiful quilt. Fun fact – she also has played Mrs. Claus at many holiday parties alongside her Santa, her husband, Tom Imbrigiotta. Tom, a veteran Ride participant like his wife, previously served as the Ride’s SAG (Support and Gear) Coordinator and as a Ride Committee member. In recognition of his dedication, he received the 2023 William Hogan “It’s for the Kids” Award. Tom celebrated his 30th anniversary on the Ride, while Jeanne celebrated her 20th.
Longtime Rider John Telencio has created a social-emotional learning program called “Day on the Bay” that our youth have participated in. As part of the program, he has hosted some of our youth aboard his vessel, “If You Believe.” It is always both a fun and educational day for our youth. Like Matt, John does a wonderful job promoting Anchor House and the Ride on social media. In his “spare time,” John serves as a Board member at Embright Education, an area nonprofit focused on social-emotional learning. .
Did you know that through the generosity of the Anchor House Foundation Ride for Runaways’ donors and supporters, a bicycle was provided to one of our youth, giving him a safe and reliable way to travel to his summer program? It was a featured story in last month’s e-news. If you have not read the blog detailing this story, we encourage you to read it. We are especially grateful to Martha Moseley, the Anchor House Foundation’s Director of Events, and the Anchor House Foundation for stepping in to find a way to help when they heard about the youth’s need for a bike.
Throughout the year, many Ride participants support Anchor House by donating to our agency’s drives, providing holiday meals, back-to-school supplies, Code Blue warm weather clothing items, and holiday gifts for youth in our programs. We must also give a shout out to all the volunteers from the Ride committee who meet monthly to plan and execute this successful event! A special thanks too to the Anchor House Foundation Board for their dedication and commitment to helping Anchor House.
Whether serving on our Board, sharing their talents, building community connections, or supporting the Ride itself, Ride participants make an impact that extends far beyond Ride season. There are so many to recognize here but please know we appreciate each and every one of you. Even if you do not volunteer throughout the year, we are grateful for every Ride participant because, by participating in the Ride, you provide hope and support to the young people we serve every day.
