7th Annual Ride for Rosita Coming Jan. 22

The seventh annual Super Spin Saturday: Ride for Rosita will be held Saturday, Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the newly renovated YMCA in Fond du Lac (90 West Second Street). I'm pretty sure I've attended all six to date, and this year promises to be the biggest and best to date. If you haven't been to one yet (and even if you have) make plans to attend this year.

Participants from six-year-old beginners to pros are welcome to spin for one hour or up to four hours. A limited number of stationary spin bikes will be available, however, participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes and stationary trainer or rollers. If you don't have a trainer, some will be available for use with your bike.

Every participant will receive a free one-week membership at the Fond du Lac YMCA. Plus, $1,000 worth of prizes will be awarded in various categories for most money raised.

Cost to participate is $5 per hour or a flat fee of $15 per individual or $25 per couple or family. United Hearts for Health volunteers will once again serve their very tasty homemade energy bars (worth the cost of admission alone!). To support the cause, you also are encouraged to raise additional money through pledges. All checks should be made payable to “United Hearts for Health/Holy Family.” Download the registration form.

The Red Hawks will once again be leading an hour of spinning beginning at noon.

Super Spin Saturday is a fund-raising event to support United Hearts for Health (UHH) and its health care efforts in Rosita, Nicaragua. The first group of Fond du Lac medical missionaries traveled to Rosita in 2003. The health care system they found was in a dire crisis. The hospital infrastructure was rotting away, the laboratory facilities were inadequate for diagnosis, dental equipment was inadequate and the infant and maternal mortality rates were — and remain — among the highest in the world.

Since 2003, a new hospital has been built and a new well drilled to provide potable water to the hospital and its patients. Fond du Lac health care providers have treated more than 600 patients in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, that number rose to more than 1,200 in Rosita and at two nearby satellite locations. Every year the cost of medicine and supplies goes up, and UHH relies heavily on donors to help us purchase the type and amount of medicine and supplies needed to treat patients effectively. The cost of medication alone was over $10,000 in 2009.

For more information, including a photo gallery from last year's Super Spin event, visit the United Hearts for Health Web site or call 920-921-6021.

You can also check out the Ride for Rosita on facebook.