Team uses pedal power to raise funds for MS

1. TEAN/I SPIRIT
Shaker SWAT Teary, Citizens Police Academy Alumni use pedal power
to help conquer multiple sclerosis
Eight years ago, four cyclists led by
Team Captain George Gelehrter, a
gerontologist and Citizen Police
Academy alumnus, biked 50 miles
in sun and rain to raise money for
multiple sclerosis (MS) r..ictims. As
a fledgling team representing the
Police Department, they raised
$3,000, winning a Bronze Ar.vard
for their efforts. Last year, ten
cyclists upped the team's ante to
150 miles and raised $10,000,
bringing their team total to over
$50,000 since the first event.
ttltts a great cause,tt said
Commander Mike Schrvarber, r'r'ho
cycles wdth his rvife Patty. "The
disease is so prevalent that everv-one
is touched by it somehoi,r.i
We've had great support from the
Citizens Police Academrl the
Shaker 100, the police union ancl
Police Department members. The
lr'hole SWAT team helps with
donations and fundraising; rve
were one of the highest fundraising
teams last year."
Multiple sclerosis, which afflicts
more than 250,000 Americans of
all ages, is a chronic, unpredictable
neurological disease that attacks
The SHPD SWAT Bike Team has raised $50,000 for multiple sclerosis research.
Last year's team included: (Top, left to right) Commander Mike Schwarber, Paity
Schwarber, Frank Holowach, George Gelehrter, Kyle Hamilton and David Gelehrter;
(Front) Cpl. Ken Gozelanczyk and Lt. Jim Mariano. (Not pictured: Ptl. Brian Paul
and Pam Williams).
the central nervous system.
The MS Bike Tour, that has so
lar raised 6vg1 $45 million for
research and treatment, is the
largest organizecl crcling event in
the country. Last yeaq nearl,v
80,000 o-clists participated. In its
1Sth year, Ohio's Bike Tour, rvhich
r,r'inds a pastoral route lrom Berea
Fairgrounds to the Sandusru'- fin-ishing
point, is the largest in the
state; this year's event is on August
21 and 22. To sponsor the team,
call Lt. Mariano at 491-2535.
- Felicit;,HiLL