Genesee County Charity Riders chip in with Hogs for Paws

The Genesee County Charity Riders roll onto Bank Street to start their 100-mile ride in the Hogs for Paws event on Saturday

Story and photos by Brian Quinn

Genesee County Charity Riders effort to raise money for the Genesee County Animal Shelter and Volunteers for Animals could be summed up in three words – Hogs for Paws.

Vice President Kevin Zito said the Charity Riders hope to raise about $3,000. The Animal Shelter and Volunteers for Animals need the money, he and Charity Riders Treasurer Amy Hathaway said.

“Normally, we get about $2,000, so we’re trying to get more. Each ride, we try to get a higher goal,” Zito said. “We accept money after (the ride) if they let us know it’s for Hogs for Paws.”

Interested parties participate in the basket raffles held earlier today during Hogs for Paws.

Hathaway said the Charity Riders created a basket from its members to raffle off.

“The proceeds from that raffle … just like our 50-50, will be going toward the Genesee County Animal Shelter,” she said.

The public may make donations directly to these two organizations.

Link to Volunteers for Animals and Genesee County Charity Riders:

(13) Facebook

(13) Genesee County Charity Riders | Facebook

“The Genesee County Animal Shelter is always looking for donations – dog food, pet supplies, monetary donations, as well as the Volunteers for Animals,” she said. “They’re in such need.”

Genesee County Charity Riders gather in the Dwyer Stadium parking lot to wait for the start of the ride.

The Charity Riders try to do four to six charity events a year, Zito said. Today’s event was the fourth. The Genesee County Charity Riders rode 100 miles, starting at Dwyer Stadium, making four stops along the way and returning to Batavia and the Copperhead Creek Bar.

Hathaway said about 20-25 minutes before they took off, they Charity Riders had about 25 riders registered. Hathaway and Zito estimated they might have about 35 by the time the ride began. At Copperhead Creek, the club was to draw a winner for a basket it created.

Next week, the Charity Riders will be part of the 2nd Annual Sgt. Sanfratello Memorial Ride, beginning at 9 a.m. Aug. 15 at the Alexander Fire Hall Rec Center. The ride is a non-political community event held in support of Genesee County’s first responders and to honor the life, memory, and service of Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tom Sanfratello, who was killed in the line of duty on March 10, 2024.

The last fundraiser this year for the Charity Riders is Sept. 19, when kickstands go up for the Crossroads House Poker Run. Registration will be from 10-11:30 a.m. The ride is scheduled to start at 11:45 a.m. The cost is $20 per bike or $10 per rider. It will start at Crossroads House and end at TF Browns.

“Our members will all meet at the beginning of next year and we’ll decide what organizations we’ll ride for next year,” Hathaway said.