Greece will be the starting point for the first Ridin’ for Refuge poker run on Sunday, Aug. 8, rain or shine.
The 70-mile ride will start at the registration site in the parking lot off the Lake Ontario State Parkway at Long Pond Road.
Four other stops in Orleans and Monroe counties have been planned; the ride will end at Merchants Grill, 881 Merchants Road, Rochester. To attend only the afterparty, tickets for $10 will be sold starting at 1 p.m. at Merchants Grill. Registration in the race includes food and music by the Coupe De’Villes from 1 to 5 p.m.
All proceeds will benefit Providence Housing Development Corporation’s Shelter Plus Care Program and new homeless housing developments.
The Shelter Plus Care Program provides rent subsidies and case management services to homeless persons recovering from drug and alcohol dependency. In 2009, 91 percent of the program’s clients increased educational or employment skills within 12 months of entering permanent housing. All of the parents who said they wanted to be reunited with their families did so within 24 months of participating in the program.
Providence Housing Development Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester. Providence Housing develops, finances and manages housing for individuals and families in the 12 counties of the Diocese of Rochester.
The corporation offers 650 units of affordable housing. The agency’s Karen Staertow said there’s a range of people who need affordable housing, including those without a jobs or who have disabilities.
Staertow said the goal of the race is to raise $5,000 to $10,000.
For questions about the ride, call Staertow at 328-3228, ext. 1426, or send an e-mail to kstaertow@dor.org.
