Local library volunteers at the Newport Public Library (PA) have created a bicycle event that remembers a very special volunteer, Ray Wertz. The H.Ray Wertz Memorial “Ride to Read” Bike Tour has been running for eight years. The event has grown from 31 riders in the first year to now approximately 150 in the past three years. Some cyclists come as far away as New York, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware to participate in the event. The event both starts and begins at Little Buffalo State Park right outside of Newport, PA.

The event has raised more than $45,000. The funds help pay basic library expenses and to pay library salaries. The event will be held on Saturday, September 29th.

Ray Wertz was quite involved with the library, and many other community concerns in Newport, PA. He was on the building committee for the Newport Public Library when they constructed and planned the new building. He also volunteered for the library — doing just about anything that was needed, from mowing the grass, fixing things that needed to repaired and picking up the mail. Wertz died in 1998 and the event was created the following year in his honor.

The library hopes to raise approximately ten thousand dollars with this year’s event.
Source: The Sentinel, Newport Public Library