3rd Chicago Theater Bike Ride Benefits Actors' Fund

The Third Annual Chicago Theater Bike Ride: Love Hard, a 501(c)(3) organization, will benefit The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment (www.actorsfund.org), and The Emergency Aid Fund, which has assisted community members with funeral and apartment fire expenses with proceeds from the first two Rides.

The Ride was created in September 2014 to memorialize Molly Glynn, actor and mother of two, with a mission to support fellow artists in times of greatest need.

This year, the Ride has dropped "Memorial" from its name. "It was a bit of a mouthful," said organizer Carmen Roman. "We will continue to honor all those who have come before while helping the survivors of a death or catastrophic event. We are here for our artistic community." Families and friends are encouraged to ride together.

In 2017, the Ride celebrates the lives and contributions of Jane Alderman, Freeman Coffey, Terry Domschke, Derek Dziak, Dan Frick, Glenne Headly, Xavier Joy, Richard Kordos, Linda Rae "K.D." Kweskin, Martha Lavey, Libby Adler Mages, MariAnn Mayberry, Kenneth Manthey, Jacqueline Mohrlein, Patrick O'Gara, Alice Carol Perry, Ruth Ratny, Samuel G. Roberson, Jr., Ed Siemienkowicz, Joe Slowik, Fred Spector, Robert Elliott Towns, Andrea Urban, Alison C. Vesely, Sharlet Webb, Lori Brown Wessely, Jen Gehr Whitten, Howard Witt.

Organizers seek rider sponsorships, which include logo placement on the website, T-shirts and the race day banner: http://www.lovehardbikeride.org/sponsors.html

Saturday, September 9, 2017. Ceremony at 11 a.m., first ride wave at 12 noon. Community potluck barbeque at 1:30 p.m.

This year's event will be held at Foster Beach, 5200 N. Lake Shore Drive at the Lake.

The 12-mile bike ride starts at Foster Beach, takes a short loop up to Osterman Beach and then south to the turn-around at North Avenue Beach, ending back at Foster Beach.

The 2017 fundraising goal is $15,000 and 200 riders. The ride has increased donations, ridership and gifts each successive year.

REGISTER http://www.lovehardbikeride.org/donate.html

Suggested minimum ride donation is $25