The Ride Spotlight

Spotlight: Alpha Gamma Rho

UW Fraternity Gives Back Through Volunteering

June 9th, 2021  |  Rob Kelly

In 2018, Alpha Gamma Rho, a social and professional fraternity at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, began an annual tradition of volunteering for The Ride, providing logistical support that enables 100 percent of funds raised through this event to go toward cancer research.

Nathan Bosch, an Alpha Gamma Rho member who graduated from UW–Madison in 2021 with a B.S. in genetics and genomics, is one of a dozen or so Alpha Gamma Rho members who has helped with the essential clean up and packing up that occurs after The Ride each year.

“We were looking to build a relationship with an organization to try to make a positive impact as a group. We’ve found that with The Ride,” Bosch says. “We look forward to it each fall and talk about it year round. And every time we come back the organizers really love having us back. It feels very welcoming, very inviting.”

Bosch, who hopes to work in a clinical setting one day, possibly as a genetic counselor, is a strong supporter of The Ride’s mission and appreciates building awareness and raising money for cancer research. He also likes that it provides opportunities for community involvement.

“It offers something for everyone,” Bosch says. “Everyone can get involved. There are biking and running/walking routes for all ability levels and plenty of opportunities to volunteer or donate.”

Bosch and his fraternity brothers typically do not have many opportunities to interact with participants because most of their work occurs after the event. But at The Ride in 2020 they had one memorable encounter. They were driving around the course to clean up rest stops and came across an older man who was on the side of the road in the rain with a flat tire.

“The rain was coming down pretty good, and it was pretty cold. We pulled over, got him something to drink, fixed his flat, and talked with him a bit about the event. It was fun to help him out and get him going and make sure that he completed his ride.”

The Ride has powered over $1.3M since 2016 through the support and foundation of its event volunteers. For more information on how groups and individuals can participate in The Ride, visit badgerchallenge.org/Volunteer.

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