Buffalo Rising Online

May 5th, 2:59pm By Eli George

Greg Johnson, a teacher at Buffalo Public School #17, is on the committee for the Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). In an effort to help the ADA and donate to the Tour de Cure, he managed to get nine Buffalo Public Schools and Niagara County schools to take part in a coin drive.

“I faxed letters to all the schools in Buffalo and Niagara County. Next year we’re hoping more people partake and make this even better,” says Johnson. The schools managed to raise more than $4,000 for the ADA. Johnson’s school came in first for money raised, with their total being $850.13. Next highest was a Niagara Falls City School, 79th Street School with $774.84.

The Tour de Cure takes place on May 31st and last year had 960 riders and raised $325,000. It takes place in 80 cities nationwide and is a ride, not a race. As the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the US and with over 20 million Americans who have diabetes, the ride goes directly to benefit research and funding by the ADA.

The class of students that raised the most money gets to have a pizza party sometime this week in recognition of their efforts. A third grade class in Johnson’s school, who raised around $100 of the $850.13 total, won the party. Johnson says, “[The coin drive is] part of the Tour de Cure event as much as it is just getting contributed to that.”

Johnson explains that all of the administrative costs of the Tour de Cure comes from corporate sponsorship. That means any money Johnson and the schools raised goes directly to the ADA for research and funding. Even the coin canisters and pizza for the party are purchased by the event budget for the Tour de Cure so that the schools money is still a direct donation.

If you would like more information about the Tour de Cure, such as how to sponsor or to register as a single rider or with a team, visit www.buffalotourdecure.org. You can also call Rebecca Donoghue, Associate Manager of the Tour de Cure at 835-0274 ext 3705.

Below is a list of the schools that participated and the amount they raised:
Buffalo Public Schools
Roosevelt ECC #65 - Raised $121.76
Futures Academy #37 - Raised $188.32
Early Childhood Center #82 - Raised $330.50
Early Childhood Center #17 - Raised $850.13
Poplar Academy #11 - Raised $336.08
Bilingual Center #33 - Raised $485.73
Lockport City Schools
Lockport Opportunity Center - Raised $540.94
Charter School
Niagara Charter School - Raised $450.01
Niagara Falls City Schools
79th Street School - Raised $774.84