Once again, UMPS CARE is biking for bears – and you can come along for the ride!

Minor League Baseball umpire Chandler Durham and former umpire David Martinez and started bike for bears in support of UMPS CARE Charities a couple of years ago. And they are biking again this fall!

Chandler and David and their group of dedicated riders will ride 100 miles for every $500 pledged up to 400 miles! Help them reach their goal of $5,000 to support UMPS CARE Charities. Minor League Baseball Umpire Connor Crowell (below) joined in last year! 

Here’s why they are biking:

When David and Chandler were working together in the minor leagues, they wanted to find a way to give back. While working games in Birmingham, David couldn’t help but notice that the ballpark overlooks a children’s hospital. Throughout the game, David would see helicopters coming and going, a constant reminder of how many sick kids there are. This experience inspired David to rally Chandler along with new friends and umpires to do something more, to give back with the help of UMPS CARE.

Through the UMPS CARE Blue for Kids Hospital Program, umpires deliver Build-A-Bear workshop experiences to the bedside of critically-ill children in pediatric hospitals across the country.

A hospital stay can be a frightening and lonesome time for children. The Blue for Kids Hospital Program delivers stuffed animal friends for comfort, visitors who bring smiles and words of encouragement, and activity books and crafts to help pass the days.

Help our team bike for bears! Want to go along for a ride and bike for bears yourself? Email [email protected] 

Want to join in but can’t commit to riding hundreds of miles? Give us an hour on a bike on November 16! Go for a ride on your own, ask for pledges and help us raise funds for bears for kids! We can help you set up an easy peasy Facebook fundraiser page!