Newsroom

Thiel College announces role as a host site for Bike MS: Escape to the Lake 2020 event

Posted December 06, 2019   Print
BikeMS story

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Escape to the Lake COVID-19 Update - A message from the National MS Society: “Based on current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), organizations that serve higher risk populations (such as individuals living with MS) should cancel gatherings of more than 10 people. As a result, the National MS Society is transitioning Bike MS: Escape to the Lake 2020 be held virtually. We feel this is a necessary step to help protect our local communities and all those involved in the MS movement.” Check out the Bike MS: Escape to the Lake page (https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=30933&pg=entry) for more information. Those who have already registered and have paid for the 2020 Escape to the Lake, Thiel College will issue refunds to the MS Bike participants that paid with a credit by issuing the money back to the card. The individuals who paid by check will be refunded with a check.

Original story:

Thiel College announces that it will be the overnight host in late spring 2020 for about 500 cyclists and volunteers as part of the Bike MS: Escape to the Lake 2020 fundraising ride that generates about $500,000 annually to fight multiple sclerosis.

State senator Michele Brooks, Borough of Greenville manager Jason Urey and members of the offices for state representatives Mark Longietti and Parke Wentling were joined by officials from the Pittsburgh-based Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Thiel College for the announcement at the Greenville, Pa. college. Christopher Pfeiffer, senior development manager for Bike MS, said the annual Escape to the Lake ride, which is in its 35th year, is one of the five largest in the state. Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body.

“I am so happy Thiel has opened its doors,” Brooks said. “This is an example of (Thiel College’s) community-minded focus.”

Pfeiffer said the event averages between 400 and 600 riders each year and is usually staffed by another 200 volunteers. This year, the ride starts at Moraine State Park near Portersville, Pa. on June 6 and will arrive in Greenville later that day. Riders will spend the night and leave for Ashtabula, Ohio on June 7.

“What has been encouraging is, Thiel has gone the extra mile for us,” Pfeiffer said. “We feel welcomed and wanted. We feel like we are building a relationship for the future.

“Bringing an event like this to Greenville…is great for the community, great for the county and great for the College,” Urey said. “This is an added bonus for everyone involved.”

Along with serving as the host site for this event, the College recently hosted the Buhl Regional Health Foundation fall forum and has also hosted high school sports playoff games and marching band camps, the Northwest Regional Synod meetings and other community events.

“During the academic year, the focus is on the obvious economic benefits generated by the College’s students, employees and visitors, but an event like this is an important reminder of the year-round benefit the College brings to the community and region,” Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Richard Orr said. “Thiel College is a resource the greater community can use for camps, conferences, meetings.”

Pictured above (L-R): Jason Urey, Carmella Ansinger, Vicki Leap, Christopher Pfeiffer, Sandra Flower, Michele Brooks, Richard Orr, Doug Kinnear.

Related Links

Related Stories

Office of Admission

Media Contact

Dominick DiRienzo
Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing

 ddirienzo@thiel.edu
 724-589-2188

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

Academics ( 764 )
Admission ( 231 )
Alumni ( 317 )
Athletics ( 160 )
College Advancement ( 261 )
Community ( 436 )
Events ( 347 )
Faculty & Staff ( 610 )
In The News ( 38 )
Performing Arts ( 132 )
Students ( 804 )

BROWSE BY YEAR

2024 (45)
2023 (152)
2022 (150)
2021 (141)
2020 (146)
2019 (123)
2018 (157)
2017 (129)
2016 (119)
2015 (110)
2014 (52)
2013 (33)
2012 (41)

Thiel College Shield

Thiel College
75 College Ave
Greenville, PA 16125
1-800-248-4435