Inaugural Shelter Century Big Success In St. Michaels

Shelter Century, the Talbot Interfaith Shelter’s inaugural cycling event, was a big success on Saturday in St. Michaels.  With over 200 riders from as far as Allentown, Pittsburgh and Virginia, 80-some volunteers, and dozens of local sponsors, the Shelter managed to raise the bar for creating a top-notch cycling event.

It was a little over one year ago, when Earth Data, Inc.’s Mark Williams approached the Talbot Interfaith Shelter Board of Directors. “I’d like to help the Shelter”, he said, “but I want to do more than write a check. I want to show you how to create an annual cycling event that will generate a growing revenue stream for your organization”.

And he did. With a group of volunteers including Julie Lowe, Don Sedlack, Kelley Malone and Tom Hollingshead, Mark Williams led the way for the creation of an event that was universally hailed as exceptionally organized and well-run. The words “awesome event” were heard dozens of times by the event’s volunteers, who started writing down quotes from riders on scraps of paper after receiving so much positive feedback.

Working together for a big mission is nothing new for this group. The Talbot Interfaith Shelter is in it’s 5th season. A homeless homeless shelter, it is operated by a group of some 17 faith congregations, who move cots, blankets and supplies from one church facility to another, incorporating some 400+ volunteers to help provide cold weather shelter to the region’s homeless individuals and families.

Less than 3 weeks ago, Mark Williams declared to the organizing committee, “I’m thinking we need pie. Homemade pie, baked up and served by church volunteers. Something like homemade pie will really put our event on the map.”  The Talbot Interfaith Shelter volunteers delivered, with over 24 pies baked and brought to the school for distribution to riders after the event.

The event featured three separate rides, an 11 mile family fun ride, a 31 mile fitness ride, and a 63 mile metric century ride. All rides were supported with rest stops that included food, drinks, restrooms and wildly enthusiastic volunteers. Delegates Jeannie Haddaway Riccio and Addie Eckardt welcomed the crowd, with Delegate Eckardt riding as Rider #1 and completing the 63 mile century ride.

One special feature of the event was the free beer and crab balls offered to riders at St. Michaels Crab and Steak House, featuring St. Michaels Ale from Eastern Shore Brewing. Along with the pie, this event will become known for over-the-top delicious treats for riders.

The Talbot Spy was proud to be a sponsor for this event. Gold level sponsors were Wells Fargo Advisors, Morgan Stanley, and an anonymous donor from Christ Church in Easton. Silver level sponsors included  Merrill Lynch, 2 anonymous donors from Christ Church in Easton, A.E. Walbridge Co., Daisy Sedlack, Easton Cycle and Sport, Reggie Phillips Painting, Alice & Peter Kreindler, and Gloria Paul & Bob Atlas.

Other sponsors included Talbot Bank, Cooke’s Hope Properties, RBC Wealth Management, John & Rebecca Clizbe,  Jean and Don Saballus, Kathy Bosin & Kevin Garber, Nancy Sajda, Bill & Julie Quick, Lisa Menditch, Frank Menditch, Julie Lowe, Edward Simonoff, P.E.A.C.E. (Peace, Education and Community Effort), Hills’ Drug Stores, Roger Bollman, Kirke & Linda Harper, Miller’s Body Shop, Cross Court Athletic Club, Irish Traditions, Shore Health, Talbot Partnership, Phil & Joan Bosin, Easton Utilities, Pamela McCloud, Horace & Helena Lowman, Justine’s Ice Cream, Avon-Dixon Agency, The Fan Family, Jack & Judy Harrald, Silver Linings, Aqua Pool & Spa, Bryan & Sons Lawn and Landscape, Quaker Neck LLC, Walter Wright State Farm Insurance and Connie Lauffer.

In-kind donations were made by Mark & Suellen Williams, Eastern Springs Water, St. Michaels Crab & Steak House, Eastern Shore Brewing, Joe’s Bagel Cafe, Lowe’s Wharf Marina Inn, Chick-fil-A, TriCycle & Run, A Chesapeake Journal, Justine’s Ice Cream, Graul’s Market, Rise Up Coffee and Out Of the Fire Restaurant.

 

 

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