E.M. Baker students cheer on Ride for Life participants

The Island Now
Ride for Life founder Christopher Pendergast is joined by Principal Dr. Michael Grimaldi, teacher Christopher Lynch, and fellow Ride for Life participants at the E.M. Baker School. (Photo courtesy of Great Neck Public Schools)
Ride for Life founder Christopher Pendergast is joined by Principal Dr. Michael Grimaldi, teacher Christopher Lynch, and fellow Ride for Life participants at the E.M. Baker School. (Photo courtesy of Great Neck Public Schools)

The Ride for Life visited E.M. Baker School on May 16 on its annual journey from Montauk to Manhattan to raise awareness for ALS, and the Baker community presented a nearly $3,000 donation to support a cure for the disease.

Ride for Life founder Christopher Pendergast is joined by Principal Michael Grimaldi, teacher Christopher Lynch, and fellow Ride for Life participants at the E.M. Baker School.  (Photo courtesy of Great Neck Public Schools)
Ride for Life founder Christopher Pendergast is joined by Principal Michael Grimaldi, teacher Christopher Lynch, and fellow Ride for Life participants at the E.M. Baker School. (Photo courtesy of Great Neck Public Schools)

Baker School has been a stop on the Ride for the past seven years. Each year, Ride for Life founder Christopher Pendergast travels up the school’s driveway in his electric wheelchair, surrounded by his fellow ALS patients and supporters, while fourth and fifth graders stand outside the school to cheer them on. The students hold handmade signs and chant, “Strike Out ALS,” and “Find a Cure.”

The Baker School is a strong supporter of the ALS Ride for Life. Throughout the year, Baker students and faculty participate in fundraisers and service learning activities to help support this cause. This year, donations from the Baker school community to help find a cure for ALS totaled almost $3,000.

The Ride for Life was founded in 1997 with the purpose of raising awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The Ride for Life raises funds to support patients and help develop a cure for ALS.

Share this Article