Great support from Auburn!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2024
NAVY VETERANS’ BAMARAMA 500 RIDE TO STOP IN AUBURN AS PART OF FUNDRAISING JOURNEY FOR VETERAN CAUSES
Auburn-Opelika, AL — The BamaRama 500, a cycling journey lead by the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1983, will make a stop in Auburn, Alabama, on October 8, 2024. This group of Navy veterans is riding across Alabama, covering 530 miles from Huntsville to Gulf Shores to raise funds and awareness for veteran causes. This is the sixth big ride the group is doing after completing four similar fundraisers from 2019 through 2022 and covering 3,400 miles last year. The inaugural fundraising ride in 2023 raised over $730,000 for veteran organizations, and the group is approaching $800,000 now with the goal to finish BamaRama with over $1 million raised.
The Navy 83 Ride Across America team is cycling with a mission: to raise $1.983 million over the next 10 years to support organizations that assist veterans, address veteran suicide and give back to those who have sacrificed so much. With stops in key Alabama cities, the BamaRama 500 aims to increase awareness and rally community support for veterans. Auburn-Opelika Tourism is proud to support the riders during their Auburn stopover by ensuring they receive a warm welcome and comfortable accommodations.
Event Details:
Date of Arrival in Auburn: October 8, 2024Date of Departure: October 9, 2024Location of Stay: Graduate Hotel, Auburn, ALSpecial Event: Riders will enjoy a dinner at the iconic Jordan-Hare Stadium, provided by The DAE Compound, a fellow non-profit for combat veterans, in collaboration with Wilton’s Catering, a Navy veteran-owned business.Learn more about The DAE Compound at www.DAECompound.org.Learn more about Wilton’s Catering at www.wiltonscatering.com.
Local law enforcement is working closely with the event organizers to ensure the cyclists receive safe passage as they ride into and out of Auburn. Their stop in Auburn represents an important milestone in the journey as they continue to raise funds and build awareness of the challenges faced by veterans, especially around mental health and veteran suicide.
Scott Watson, a member of the Navy 83 Ride Across America, expressed his excitement about this year’s ride, especially the Auburn stop:
"The mission of the BamaRama 500 is to carry on the USNA83 Ride Across America.” Said Watson. “ On our rides, we have a great time meeting Americans from all walks of life and raising funds to support great veteran causes found at navy-cycling.com. These rides have been a great way for a bunch of old Navy goats to stay in great physical shape.”
“Auburn was chosen as a through city due to its beauty and because two of my five children and great ride supporters are Auburn Tigers. My youngest is a senior at Auburn, and we'll see her at the Auburn Stadium dinner. The Notre Dame folks took great care of us, and I wanted to show the Navy cycling team how incredible the folks of Auburn are. We have been so grateful to Awbrey, Heff, and Team Auburn for hosting two of our rest stops, providing dinner and a stadium tour, and for helping us get incredible accommodations just off campus."
The BamaRama 500 is the second in a series of fundraising rides organized by the Navy 83 Ride Across America. John Hults, one of the founders of the initiative, helped establish the annual ride as part of a larger mission to raise $1.983 million by the group’s 50th reunion in 2033. The funds raised support organizations such as the Naval Academy Foundation, Operation Heal Our Patriots, Team Rubicon, Operation Patriots for Children and K9s for Warriors. All rider expenses are covered by participants, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to the organizations they support.
How to Support:
Supporters can follow the journey, learn more about the cause and donate to the Navy 83 Ride at navy-cycling.com. The website provides real-time updates on the ride, including stories from the road and ways to contribute to the veterans they aim to serve.
For more information about BamaRama 500, contact Scott Watson at scottwatson83@gmail.com
For more information about Auburn-Opelika Tourism, contact Travis Harrison at Travis@aotourism.com