WALDORF, MD * The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland and the Charles County Commissioners hosted a Bike to Work/Wellness Event on May 19, 2006, at the Dorchester Community Center in St. Charles. The program celebrated May as Clean Air Month and National Bike to Work Week May 16-20.
More than 130 third-graders from nearby Wade Elementary School attended, along with other community members. Three bicyclists stopped by, including Bob Tyo of La Plata, who biked to last year's Bike to Work Day celebration in La Plata. McGruff, the Crime Fighting Dog, made special appearances, and a live broadcast on local radio station 98 Star FM highlighted the program.
During the event, County Commissioner Candice Quinn Kelly, on behalf of the Charles County Commissioners, read a proclamation issued to declare May as Clean Air Month in Charles County. In addition, Commissioner Kelly accepted a plaque from the Tri-County Council to recognize Charles County Government's support of clean air initiatives, as well as the Bike to Work Day/Wellness Event.
Agencies were at the event to promote local transit programs, healthy lifestyles, and safe communities. They included: VanGO, Charles County's intracounty transportation program, the Charles County Sheriff's Office COPS Program, the Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Mintz & Pincus Dental Partners.
Other sponsors were: American Community Properties Trust, Maredith Management, Bike Doctor of Waldorf, US Foods * Southern Maryland Territory, Gregory Billups * Systems Maintenance Group, Inc., Mirant, Mercantile Bank of Southern Maryland, Dudley Aist and Associates Insurance Company, Bowie Baysox Baseball Club, Hughesville Jazzercize, and Gold's Gym.
PHOTO: McGruff, the Crimefighting Dog, visits a third grade class from Wade Elementary School at the Bike to Work Day/Wellness Event held May 19 at the Dorchester Neighborhood Center.