Fresh from pedaling 250 miles during the Police Unity Tour, Sgt. Mark Williamson and Cpl. Bruce Cordivari are gearing up to ride nearly twice that distance to raise money for the family of Fort Myers police Officer Andrew Widman, who was slain in the line of duty last year.Williamson and Cordivari will be joined by fellow CCSO members Cpl. Robert Capizzi and Deputy John Madden for “Brotherhood Ride 200,’’ a 413-mile, six-day bike trip in memory of Officer Widman.
The ride will begin on the anniversary of Officer Widman’s death, July 18, with riders leaving from North Naples Fire District Station 45, and returning July 23 to the Fort Myers Police Station. Stops in between will include Arcadia, Winter Haven, Wauchula, Cape Coral and Punta Gorda.
“It’s something we wanted to do to honor him,” Cordivari said of Officer Widman.
All four deputies are training and getting prepared for the ride, Capizzi said.
“We’re all excited about doing it,” said Capizzi.
Cordivari and Williamson are no strangers to long bike trips. They biked 250 miles over three days, also for Officer Widman, during the annual Police Unity Tour in mid-May. The PUT honors law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and raises money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum in Washington, D.C.
The Brotherhood Ride is made up of firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel. Each year they honor a fallen comrade by riding bicycles from North Naples to his hometown.
The mission is to provide emotional and financial support to the fallen comrade’s family and friends.
There are three scheduled Brotherhood Ride fundraising events:
* Friday, June 19, Uno Chicago Grill, 9510 Marketplace Road, Fort Myers. The restaurant will donate 20 percent of your check with coupon.
* Friday, June 26, Uno Chicago Grill, 738 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. The restaurant will donate 20 percent of your check with coupon
* Friday, July 10, Brotherhood Ride Night at the Miracle game. Tickets are $13 and include admission, hot dog and soda voucher, and ball cap.
For more information and to download coupons for Uno Chicago Grill go to http://www.brotherhoodride.com/.
To make a donation to the Brotherhood Ride, please mail checks to: Brotherhood Ride, P.O. Box 110862, Naples, FL 34108. Make checks payable to “Brotherhood Ride.”
