Businesses support Tour de Cure

Published 8:32 pm Saturday, April 7, 2012

Suffolk businesses and foundations are pouring their support into the Tour de Cure coming up later this month.

Several organizations are donating money, food, products, volunteers and general support to the American Diabetes Association fundraiser, which will be held April 21.

“It’s a good family event and a good cause,” said Dawn Camper, marketing director for the Main Street Chick-fil-A restaurant. “That’s how we decide what we donate to.”

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Chick-fil-A is donating lunch meals for volunteers, according to Robin Kantor with the American Diabetes Association.

The Tour de Cure will start and end at King’s Fork High School. The bike ride features four courses — 10-, 30-, 65- or 100-mile lengths for everyone from the beginner to experienced rider.

Broken Egg Bistro, which has locations in North Suffolk and Chesapeake, is assisting in the sponsorship of the post-race meal, Kantor said.

“We do a lot of fundraising events and different things in Chesapeake, and we’re trying to get to do the same thing in Suffolk,” said Mike Touhey, owner of Broken Egg Bistro. “We’re trying to get in there and be a part of the community in Suffolk.”

Many more businesses are providing support, Kantor said. TowneBank, headquartered in Suffolk, created a corporate team for the first year this year.

The Obici Healthcare Foundation will sponsor the “Stop Diabetes Movement” tents. Through the “Share,” “Act,” “Learn” and “Give” tents, participants will be able to receive information in diabetes, learn their risk and share their story.

In addition, Birdsong Peanuts has created a first-year corporate team and is donating bags of peanuts for rider rest stops and for the post-ride celebration.

For more information on the Tour de Cure or to find out how to get involved, visit www.diabetes.org/hamptonroadsvatour.