122 cyclists participate in the 2024 Mohawk Valley Missing Children's Ride | Local

SAUQUOIT, NY — Cyclists and families of missing and exploited children gathered at Sauquoit Middle School for this year's Ride for Missing Children.

This year's guest of honor was Lisa Buske.

Her sister, Heidi Allen, was kidnapped on Easter Sunday 1994.

Buske came with a message of encouragement and talked about how the riders made her feel.

“There are a lot of people who are completely selfless, doing this because they care, and with so much good in the world, it's just going to amplify,” Buske said.

The 122 riders visited a number of schools and came with four simple reminders on how to be safe.

Check first; take a friend; say no to people; and tell my trusted friend.

Newbie rider Billy Gibson feels it is important to support the community and feels it is a great place to start.

“We have cards that we give out to all the kids in these schools and ask if we can save one child at a time. That's what it's all about,” Gibson said.

Students were made aware of safety in schools.

Whitesboro educator Teale LaBarbera used the ride as one way to deliver safety messages to children.

“I wore my jersey to school yesterday and I'm using it as a teaching tool. You know, I was showing them where the ride was going. I was talking about the importance of simple things like wearing a helmet, but the real key “Make sure you communicate with your parents, especially now with cell phones. You know, it's not that hard to text your parents,” LaBarbera said.

Amy Roepnack, an art teacher at Jarvis Middle School, had her students create buttons for the jumpers. She feels like most students leave with a better understanding of the purpose of the ride.

“After the ride, they're more aware of it and they're really excited that people are taking care of them,” Roepnack said.

The Ride was launched in memory of 12-year-old Sara Anne Wood, who was abducted on August 18, 1993, just down the street from her home.

Sara's brother, Dusty Wood, has been involved in the venture since its beginnings, but said it has evolved into something bigger.

“It's not about my family anymore. It's not about my sister anymore. It's about how this community has chosen to contribute to her healing, but also to stay safe and aware in this neighborhood …in this community,” Dusty said.