CHARLIE's Ride: Opportunity to Learn, Remember, and Help a Good Cause

On Saturday, Aug. 13, hundreds will gather at  in Ellington for CHARLIE’s Ride.

CHARLIE is an acronym for Cardiac Health Advocates Remembering Loved-ones Impacted Everywhere and is a charity motorcycle ride established in loving memory of Charlie Lewandoski of Wethersfield who lost his 20-year battle with heart disease in July 2009, and for others just like him.

The ride, created by Lewandoski’s daughter, Beth Hensel, has a three-fold objective: 1) to promote heart disease awareness and prevention strategies; 2) to remember the millions impacted by heart disease; and 3) to raise funds for the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute of Connecticut, which is a Saint Francis clinical center of excellence.

“My father found his passion for motorcycles late in life and at 66 years old, went out and purchased a brand-new Honda Shadow VLX - much to my dismay,” said Hensel, who lives in Windsor Locks. “I couldn’t understand why he would pursue such a dangerous hobby. Nonetheless, his love for riding was obvious and he took every opportunity to try and get me on his bike. He loved the liberating feeling he found on his bike, and he especially enjoyed participating in charity rides.”

Hensel said that her father eventually got his wish of getting her on the bike when he passed and left her his bike.

“That’s when I finally accepted his challenge,” she said. “I interpreted this as his final lesson, conquered my fears, learned to ride, and then the idea of CHARLIE’s Ride was born. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor his memory and promote heart disease awareness than to establish this ride as a lasting tribute to a wonderful man. I couldn’t save him, but hopefully CHARLIE’s Ride can help save others.”

In honor of CHARLIE’s Ride, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has declared Aug. 13, 2011 Heart Disease Awareness Day in the State of Connecticut.

Hensel says that heart disease is the number one cause of death - for men and women - in the United States and is responsible for one out of every two deaths in America. More than 80 million Americans live with some form of cardiovascular disease.

“But heart disease is highly preventable if you take steps to reduce your risk factors,” she said. “Do you know what those risk factors are? These are all important facts that the organizers and sponsors of CHARLIE’s Ride intend to share in order to educate our community and stop heart disease in its tracks.”

The CHARLIE’S Ride inaugural event held in August 2010 exceeded everyone’s expectations as 103 bikes and 220 participants learned about heart disease, wrote tributes on the Memory Wall, and raised more than $4,000. The ride also received a gubernatorial proclamation declaring Aug. 15, 2010 Heart Disease Awareness Day in Connecticut.

Registration will take place from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and all friends and supporters of heart disease – and all makes of bikes – are welcome to participate in the ride.

During the registration period, participants will enjoy free coffee and donuts, graciously donated by Dunkin’ Donuts of Rockville. Special guests from the Phillips Women’s Heart program will be providing a free heart health assessment for interested parties over the age of 18.

On a prominently displayed Memory Wall, participants can write a message to their loved-ones impacted by heart disease. The Master of Ceremonies will be Laurye Natale, Ms. Connecticut World International 2011-12, and Connecticut Idol Winner and Ellington native  will sing the National Anthem.

At noon, the 30-mile, police-escorted and scenic ride will head out through Ellington, around Crystal Lake, and to the after-party destination of Big Shot Billiards in East Windsor.

Riders and non-riders will enjoy festivities, including a heart-healthy feast presented by Ted’s Montana Grill, raffles, billiards, and live entertainment by Shovelhead, a great local southern rock band.

Exclusive CHARLIE’s Ride merchandise will be available for purchase including shirts from Golden Crossings, commemorative pins, and bracelets made by Different by Design, which is a non-profit that supports mentally and physically challenged adults.

Admission for the event is $30/single or $40/couple, either for riders (which includes the after-party) or after-party alone.

For more information about CHARLIE’s Ride, visit www.charliesride.org, check out the Facebook page, send an e-mail, or call Hensel at 860-916-3637.