PHOTOS: Emmaus Raises $140K at 30th Anniversary Cycle for Shelter Ride

The youngest Cycle for Shelter rider, 7-year-old Cora Seferlis, braved the day's rain to ride 20 miles on July 22, 2018. (Courtesy photographs from Allegra Boverman and Greg Davis)

More than 150 Merrimack Valley-area cyclists battled torrential downpours to help raise more than $140,000 for the Haverhill-based nonprofit Emmaus during the 30th anniversary Cycle for Shelter bike ride on July 22.

Riders of this year’s Cycle for Shelter rode one of four routes—100, 62, 40, or 20 miles—starting and ending at the Haverhill campus of Northern Essex Community College.

Ahead of the ride, WHAV profiled several participants, including this year’s youngest rider, 7-year-old Bradford resident Cora Seferlis. Enrolled at Bradford Elementary School, Cora role 20 miles along with her dad, Chris Seferlis, who captains the 3 Flat Tires Team.

Cora’s reason for participating in the ride is simple, she told WHAV. “I really like helping people and being kind,” Cora said.

With fundraising continuing through September 1, Emmaus is expected to top their goal of $150,000, organizers said.

The money raised supports the group’s 24/7 efforts to provide emergency shelter for individuals and families locally. In addition to their Mitch’s Place shelter, Emmaus operates a food pantry on Winter Street, enrichment programs for school-aged children, and job-readiness courses for adults.

Check out photos from this year’s ride in the photo gallery.