LIVE IT RIDE PARTNERS WITH LAKE TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND DONATES OVER $10,000 FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
It was the first LIVE IT Ride event with 100% of net proceeds dedicated to students at Lake Technical College and it was an overwhelming success! The bike ride was given the name of Mount Dora Live It Ride Cycling for a Future. Bill and Tracy Draper began planning an organized bicycle ride in December 2021 and decided that they wanted to give to a worthy cause. “Lake County is growing so much and we want people to be trained, find work and stay in this area.” Recognizing the value of workforce training, the couple wanted 100% of net proceeds from the bike ride event to be donated to Lake Tech.
The event occurred March 5, 2022 with 222 riders registered. The ride consisted of an 18 mile, 30 mile or 64 mile ride. Tracy said, “This ride was a first time event and it was thrilling to have the support. I was pretty impressed and surprised by the amount of money that was donated.” Lake Technical College Executive Director DeAnna Thomas said, “These are the type of community partnerships that make the difference in a student being able to successfully complete their program. These funds will be used directly for students to reduce the barriers that hinder their success.”
Tracy attended the University of Georgia for one year but changed paths when she decided to pursue a certificate in Cosmetology. No stranger to workforce training and the skilled trades, Tracy and her husband decided to tour Lake Technical College to discover what programs were being offered. “I was very impressed with the amount of programs Lake Tech offers, the degree of technology and equipment provided, how clean and organized everything was, and just how well thought out the entire college process was from start to finish”, Tracy said.
Tracy is an avid cyclist and LIVE IT is her mantra. She does not believe in having a bucket list because she wants to simply LIVE IT to the fullest and help others grow. It is this drive that furthered the idea of the event and the partnership between LIVE IT Ride and Lake Tech and what will be the driving force of future events.
