[How to make a donation ]

The ride was no shorter this year, it was still 140 long and hilly miles. Nor was the time of year any less trying in terms of the weather conditions. But for David Patterson, this year's trek for Camp Smile-A-Mile, dubbed "The Ride of Love" by founding rider Stephanie Wilkins, went a little easier.

And the start time, 6 a.m. from the IHoP in Tuscaloosa, didn't get any easier to take, but this year, Patterson knew exactly what awaited him, not only along the ride, but also at the end. He knew the wonderful feeling of riding those last 500 yards into the camp and being greeted by the campers, youngsters dealing with cancer.

"It's a tremendous feeling to cross into the camp and see them there waiting for us," Patterson said. "It makes every mile of training and every mile today worth it."

Camp Smile-A-Mile is an organization that gives kids with cancer a place to go for camp. A place where they can be themselves and get treatment, go without prosthetic limbs and hair, and be around others who are like them for support.

The Ride of Love is a fund raiser based around the bike ride from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Camp SAM which is located on the shores of Lake Martin at Children's Harbor. This fundraiser was started by Stephanie Wilkins, a counselor at Camp Smile-A-Mile and board member, in 2001. Last year Wilkins picked up a partner in Patterson, himself a cancer survivor.

This year, Wilkins and Patterson had several riders join them for the journey helping raise money for campers.

Wilkins raised approximately $12,200.00 during her first ride in June 2001. In June 2002, Wilkins and Patterson together raised approximately $21,500.00. This year the goal is to raise $30,000.00, a goal that will send 120 kids to the camp.

How to make a donation

Before the ride, Wilkins, Patterson and friends raised $25,000 and the hope is to add to that total now that the ride is actually in the book. Donations can be made in several ways:

• Send check or money orders to
  Stephanie Wilkins at 3509 Foxtrail Lane, Northport, AL 35473.
  Make checks payable to "The Camp Smile-A-Mile Bike Fund"

• "The Camp Smile-A-Mile Bike Fund Savings Account"
  (At any SouthTrust Bank)

• Donations can be made using a credit card by sending the payment through PayPal to the account of wilkinsd@aol.com.

For more information on the ride go to www.rideoflove.com and for more information on Camp Smile-A-Mile go to www.campsam.org.

--UA--