Miami Smart Ride Raises Funds for Florida AIDS Charities

Spinning off at the crack of dawn and for two full days November 14-15, The SMART Ride 11 is a fun-filled trek of 165 miles that will begin in Miami and end in Key West to raise awareness and much-needed financial support for seven of Florida's non-profit organizations that provide support and services for individuals with HIV/AIDS.

And these ASOs have Glen Weinzimer to thank. Ask anyone that knows him and they will tell you if you want to see Weinzimer in action, just tell him he can't do something. And that is exactly what happened when as a young man he was told by his doctor he needed to get his affairs in order because he had only 10 days to live.

Not one to ball up and give up, Weinzimer took the news as a call to action. Armed with a positive attitude and an unrelenting will to fight, he not only survived his grim diagnosis, but also made his life meaningful and purposeful by creating the second biggest HIV/AIDS charity bike ride in the United States, The SMART Ride.

Two decades after his diagnosis, Weinzimer is still fueled by an obligation to help those who are living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The SMART Ride was his way of creating something meaningful that would help others as well as prove that individuals really can come together to make a significant impact.

"My ultimate goal is NOT to be producing a ride in the next five years, not because of any other reason than I want to see HIV/AIDS cured," he said. "We are working hard to put ourselves out of business."

To accomplish that goal, Weinzimer rallies more than 700 volunteers and 500 riders to successfully raise donations and execute the Ride.

They come from South Florida, neighboring states and as far away as Hawaii and include individuals from all walks of life, religious backgrounds, races and cultural beliefs. They are as young as 18 and as old as 73.

Like its founder, The SMART Ride is unlimited in its direction and its generosity towards others, demonstrated by the fact that it gives 100 percent of what is raised by riders to seven Florida-based charities that work to help those living with HIV/AIDS.

Currently in its 11th year, The SMART Ride has raised over $5.3 million and this year's goal is to again top the $1 million mark.

John Rogatski, producer of The SMART Ride and long-time friend of Weinzimer's, said, "It's the we're-going-to-do-it attitude that Glen brings which is why The SMART Ride has been successful."

Born in Bronx, NY and a resident of South Florida since 1984, Weinzimer is described as committed, shy, and the kind of person who would rather be behind the scenes than to speak publically of his accomplishments; however, Weinzimer's inspiration, dedication and outstanding achievements could not take a back seat to his personality.

There is no doubt Margaret Mead was speaking of the power of individuals like Weinzimer when she stated: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

In fact, it was that very quote that created an epiphany for Weinzimer 20 years ago and led to his creation of The SMART Ride.

Beneficiaries of this year's ride are:

� The Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center, one of the largest children's agencies in south Florida, serving over 10,000 children and youth annually.

� The Pride Center at Equality Park, which provides a welcoming, safe space and an inclusive home that celebrates, nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities and its friends and neighbors in South Florida.

� Metro Wellness & Community Centers, a multi-faceted agency in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties serving the HIV+ community via medical case management, eligibility, minority aids initiative, mental health, substance abuse and prevention/testing/outreach services.

� Pridelines Youth Services, which for more than 30 years has provided safe space, social support, skills building, leadership development, HIV testing and support services, referrals to mental health, health care and support services for LGBTQ youth, their straight allies, and the community at large.

� AIDS Help, Florida's oldest continuously operating AIDS service organization and the only agency in Monroe County that serves individuals with HIV and AIDS.

� Miracle of Love, Inc., the oldest and largest non-profit minority AIDS Service Organization in Central Florida.

� FoundCare's Comprehensive AIDS Program (CAP), the oldest and largest program serving people with HIV/AIDS in Palm Beach County.

TSR Adventures, Inc., dba "The SMART Ride," is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. TSR Adventures, Inc. is committed through the combination of individual contributions and public/private partnerships to creating, producing and/or overseeing community based events in which 100 percent of what the participant raises is returned to benefiting non-profit organizations. In so doing, the organization acts as an avenue for change in the non-profit fundraising community.