May 21, 2019 – The Arc of Alachua County will host 40 bicyclists Wednesday, May 22, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. for the annual Gear Up Florida/Ability Experience Friendship Visit. The bicyclists, who are traveling throughout the State of Florida raising both money and awareness about developmental disabilities, will be led onto The Arc’s main campus (3303 NW 83rd St, Gainesville, FL; across from Santa Fe College) escorted by the Santa Fe College Police Department and greeted by cheering throngs of Arc employees and clients.
Arc Executive Director Mark A. Swain and Arc clients and employees will welcome the bikers representing colleges and universities throughout the United States. Once safely ensconced on Arc grounds, the bicyclists will sign autographs for Arc clients and take photographs with them. This annual event, a favorite of Arc clients, is sponsored by John and Sheila Spence, long-time and generous supporters of The Arc of Alachua County.
“This event gets everybody involved; bikers, staff members, the clients, the donors, and the community. Our clients look forward to seeing the bicyclists being escorted onto our campus by motorcycle police with sirens blaring and lights flashing. It will be a lot of fun, and is an event we could not make happen without the incredible generosity of John and Sheila Spence,” stated Mark Swain, Executive Director of The Arc of Alachua County.