ROCK THE RIDE began on a 2018 Napa Valley bike ride with Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04), now retired Napa County Sheriff John Robertson and Ride Napa Valley Event Producer Rebecca Kotch, after the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Parkland, FL, and The Pathway Home tragedy in Yountville, CA. Both shootings were within three weeks of each other. That same year, the Borderline Bar and Grill shooting took the life of beloved 18-year-old Napa resident and Pepperdine student, Alaina Housley. Alaina’s Voice Foundation, launched by Alaina’s parents, became a beneficiary in 2019 at Rock the Ride and inspired the Napa Valley 1839 FC ENOUGH cycling and soccer kits.
ROCK THE RIDE 2023 ROLLS ON FOR A SIXTH YEAR
Expands Its Reach with Second Event in Illinois
Napa, CA (June 6, 2023) — Now in its sixth year, Rock the Ride USA was created as a way for the community to get involved in gun violence prevention by using their voice (and feet) to raise funds for local and national nonprofit organizations addressing this critical issue. Saturday, June 24th, hundreds will gather to walk or bike ride in Yountville, CA, and then engage with leaders and elected officials steeped in tackling this public health crisis. With our nation experiencing more mass shootings than the number of days so far in 2023, no community is immune to gun violence. This year, a second Rock the Ride will be held in the North Shore area of Illinois on Sunday, August 20th to honor the victims and survivors of the mass shooting that took place there last year during their Fourth of July parade. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) is leading this effort for his community to offer support, education, and inspiration, with Rock the Ride’s message of “Community. Action. Change. Together”.
For 2023, Rock the Ride USA’s Napa Valley event welcomes title sponsor Sutter Health, an integrated, not-for-profit health delivery system serving more than 3 million patients in 22 counties in Northern California. “As healthcare providers, we can encourage parents and guardians to ask their family and friends about unsecured firearms in places their child visits. Reducing stigma around this topic and providing conversation starters can help us fight this epidemic, save kids’ lives and make conversations regarding firearms a part of routine healthcare. Asking family and friends if a gun is stored safely should be no different than asking if there’s a pool fence in the backyard or whether a child has any food allergies,” stated Dr. Robert Nordgren, area CEO for Sutter Health Bay Medical Foundation. Dr. Nordgren will participate in the event as a 25-mile cyclist.
This year, the Napa Valley event will feature special guest speakers, including Dr. Annie Andrews, pediatrician and former SC-01 candidate for Congress, who recently launched “Their Future. Our Vote.”, a 501c(4) with an associated Political Action Committee (PAC) focused on building a better future for all of our nation’s children. “Their Future. Our Vote.” aims to center political conversations and policymaking around improving the world for future generations. Their main issues include sensible gun violence prevention legislation, climate action, quality education, accessible healthcare, reducing child hunger and poverty, and protecting voting rights.
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“Dr. Andrews has absolutely made an important move to focus on the youth of America – giving them a “voice” by supporting legislation, policy, and elected leaders who will champion and fight for their wellbeing,” stated Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04), Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. “We welcome her here to Rock the Ride.”
Congressman Thompson, the inspiration for Rock the Ride, will lead the 25-mile bike ride ending at Yountville Park (2900 Lincoln Ave, Yountville). Along with Dr. Andrews, he will host guest speakers, including representatives from Everytown/CA Chapter of Moms Demand Action and GIFFORDS, Arik Housley of Alaina’s Voice Foundation, and moderator Dr. Mark Shapiro. Shapiro, the event’s annual moderator, is a Hospitalist at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and is the creator and host of Explore The Space Podcast, (a show focused on bringing those who provide healthcare and those who seek healthcare closer together through conversations with leaders from across the spectrum).
In addition to Sutter Health, this year’s Rock the Ride Napa Valley sponsors and partners include Providence Queen of the Valley, Aonair Wines & Reverie II Winery, The Wine Institute, The Doctor’s Company, Cecelia Aguiar-Curry for Assembly, The Whitewater Group, Explore the Space, Frog’s Leap Winery, The Silenus Winery, Kara’s Cupcakes, and several anonymous and in-kind donors.
Dr. Annie Andrews
