Pedaling For Dreams
Benefit Ride Excels Once Again

The Batson family, of Fairfield, once again achieved Wishmaker status ($5,000) by raising more than $5,500 at the 4th Annual Pedaling for Dreams on June 25, in Waterville.

From left, Chris and Corina Batson, Make-A-Wish volunteer Clip Berglund,
with Yvonne and Nathanael Batson

The family organizes the ride in memory of their son, Brendan, who organized treks in 2000 and 2001 to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine in memory of his friend, Isaiah Desrosiers, who had leukemia.

In 2001, at the age of sixteen, Brendan was tragically struck and killed by a truck while training for one of his fundraisers. Each year since then, his family and friends have kept his dream alive by organizing the ride for wishes in Brendan and Isaiah's names. Each year they have raised at least $5,000.

Brendan Batson, 2001

This year's ride had extra impact. While the Batson's have organized the benefit ride for the past four years, they had no idea that they would be on the receiving end of Make-A-Wish. The Batson's sixteen-year-old daughter, Corina, was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and received her wish to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef in May (see Featured Wish). Corina's mother, Yvonne, said the incredible wish trip reinforced the family's desire to raise funds for Make-A-Wish so that another deserving child in Maine can have his or her wish come true.

Riders of all ages took part in helping to raise enough funds to grant a child's wish.