(Greenville, SC) Founded in 2012 by two Charlotte Fire Department members, the Carolina Brotherhood is an annual cycling event comprised of active duty and retired firefighters and police officers who ride to honor first responders who have died in the line of duty in South Carolina and North Carolina. This year’s ride, which takes place July 25-29, will be from Columbia, SC to Raleigh, NC (nearly 500 miles), and the first overnight stop will be in Greenville Monday night.
A total of 50 volunteers (30 riders and 20 support staff) will leave Columbia Monday morning, led and followed by emergency vehicles, and the group will stop approximately every 20 miles to fill up water bottles, eat, use the restroom and visit local fire and police departments along the route. They are expected to arrive in Greenville around 5 p.m. Monday afternoon, and will spend the night at the Boiling Springs Fire Department at 208 Blacks Road. The fire department will provide showers, as well as dinner and breakfast the following morning. The most important activity during their stay in Greenville will be meeting and talking with the families and fellow officers and firefighters of the first responders who lost their lives.
The mission of the Carolina Brotherhood is to provide emotional and financial support for the families of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty from the Carolinas. Among its goals are building awareness and appreciation of the sacrifices they made and honoring their memory. To do so, they rely on sponsorships and individual donations. Each rider must raise a minimum of $400 prior to the ride, and additional funds are raised through events and t-shirt sales.
Supporters can follow the group’s progress on Twitter at @CarolinaBHood, where they will be posting real-time updates and pictures throughout ride week. Additionally, citizens in the cities and towns they will be traveling through are encouraged to line the route to offer their encouragement and show their support.
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