SpokesKIDS riding against cancer Saturday

GRANVILLE - This Saturday, Granville Intermediate student Cal Schnaidt will lead a team of young bicyclists on a seven-mile ride to raise funds and honor his dad.

Cal, 11, created and launched the SpokesKIDS ride last year, drawing 53 cyclists and raising more than $10,000 in the fight against cancer.

The son of the late David Schnaidt, Cal “wanted to make his mark on Pelotonia so we can end cancer,” according to an event news release. David Schnaidt, died of cancer on Sept. 1, 2013.

In 2013, David launched his peloton, Spokesman for a Cure, and in 2015, Cal created his SpokesKIDS.

While he was “very happy” with the event’s first year in terms of number of riders and funds raised, Cal said in a phone interview Monday he hopes for even more participation and success this weekend.

“I want kids to know they can help save peoples’ lives, so other kids don’t have anyone having cancer and then losing them,” Cal said. He said his step-brother, Ethan, would also be riding this Saturday.

As of Monday morning, 42 young riders were so far registered, according to Teri Niedermeyer, co-chair.

On Saturday, SpokesKIDS participants will ride approximately seven miles, starting at 4:30 p.m. at Wildwood Park in Granville and ending at Appletree Auction Center, 1625 W Church St. in Newark, around 5:30 p.m.

That’s just in time for the Spokesmen for a Cure auction, Niedermeyer said.

The live auction begins at 6 p.m. Tickets to the auction are $25 for adult and $15 for kids (Admission is free to SpokesKIDS participants).

Tickets are available by calling the auction center at 740-344-4282.

Niedermeyer noted the auction is a good way for youth and older residents who can’t make the Saturday ride to still lend a hand for the cause.

“There’s a family whose kids aren’t going to ride but they raised money for it because their family has been affected by cancer,” Niedermeyer said. “We also have another girl who started a GoFundMe campaign.”

Niedermeyer said, “Dave had so many lives… This year Cal wanted other kids to get involved, so we did a logo contest.”

Cal noted his family served as judges for that contest.

“The thought is, that hopefully once it gets really going in Granville, other communities can start their own program like this,” Niedermeyer said. “There could be SpokesKIDS New Albany and so on.”

The entry fee to participate is $100 and riders must be between the ages of 8 and 14 years old.

Participants can be from any area, state, or school district. For more information, email spokeskids@gmail.com.

Day of ride registration will also be accepted, Niedermeyer said, noting “100 percent of the money raised goes toward Pelotonia.”