Don’t let the lack of wintry weather stop you from enjoying winter sports.
Rob Bick sure won’t.
The Clay assessor, a winter sports enthusiast, said the annual Snowmobile Ride for Children with Special Needs will go on with or without snow.
“We have a prepared trail behind town hall, so all we need are five or six inches,” Bick said. “And even if we don’t have that, we’ve got ATVs the kids can ride. We’re going to make this happen, even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.”
This is the fourth time Bick has put on the event here in Clay for kids between the ages of 3 and 16. He started a similar event in 2002 in another town in St. Lawrence County where he served as assessor and began doing one in Monroe County last year. Kids with special needs get the opportunity to ride a snowmobile (or, perhaps this year, an all-terrain vehicle) with an experienced rider. Bick said it’s a good opportunity to get kids outside, especially during the winter months when they may be used to being cooped up indoors.
“A lot of times, kids with special needs don’t get the opportunities that other kids get,” he said. “This gives them a chance to do something they may not otherwise get a chance to do. All kids love motorized vehicles. They get to ride on the snowmobiles and enjoy the outdoors. It’s a very cool thing.”
Bick said the event, which is open to kids from all over, not just town residents, typically draws about 30 to 40 kids a year.
This year’s event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Clay Town Hall, has been expanded to invite children undergoing treatment at the Golisano Children’s Hospital, as well.
“Those kids especially don’t get a chance to get out and enjoy themselves,” Bick said. “We really wanted to give them this opportunity.”
The ride is free, and the children’s safety is ensured. Helmets and safety equipment is donated by Bivens Sales and Services from Weedsport. Once the event is over, pizza, snacks and hot cocoa will be provided by Uno’s Chicago Grill at Clay Town Hall.
Registration is required for the event; to register, call Florence Drago at 652-3800, ext. 139. Organizers are also looking for volunteers who have two-person snowmobiles or the ability to tow a sleigh to help . To volunteer, call Bick at 652-3800, ext. 116.
Bick said the response to the event has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I’ve had letters from parents telling me what a great experience it is for the family, but the best are the letters I get from the kids themselves,” he said. “One girl sent me a letter telling me that other people wouldn’t let her do things like this because they were afraid she would get hurt. She saw this ride as one of her own weapons of hope. She said it makes her believe she can do what other kids can do.”
