BACKROADS • SEPTEMBER 2022
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Benny’s Bodega Run • A Great Day’s Ride for a Worthy Cause Have you ever met some people that can be totally selfless and giving to others? We’re sure you have; and it is what these folks do, day after day, that can make a huge difference to many in a community. A few years back we learned of Benny’s Bodega. What we first thought was a young upscale and probably hip store turned out to be nothing of the kind. Okay, they are hip and young, but in actuality, Benny’s Bodega is a non-profit organization that helps locals in the Sussex County area getting much-needed goods and filling the day-today wants and needs of those less fortunate here in northwest New Jersey. This might sound like a big organization but, the truth is, Benny’s Bodega is really one family – Heather and Ben Davies, along with her mom Terry, their two kids Lily and Carter, and a bunch of volunteers who somehow make it all work. Each time we walked into our gym we’d see the “Donation Box” for the Bodega and last year we decided to help in a small way and this past July we held our second Benny’s Bodega Run. Like every Backroads event, there was no set charge, fee, or expense – rather we simply asked for donations of nonperishable items or, if riders wished, an easy donation via the Bodega’s website. The 150-mile Mystery Ride took place the last Sunday in July and we’d like to thank those who came out to help support Benny’s Bodega. In addition to riders bringing non-perishable goods so many made very...VERY... generous donations. Thank you, Thank You, Thank You All! We had riders from the other side of the Hudson and Delaware rivers, and special kudos to Joe who rode up from Virginia. Wow! You are da man, Joe! For all those who we (Shira, me, and Spenser T. Cat) feel are part of our extended Backroads family, who couldn’t come for the ride, it’s