Athletes
Donations made on behalf of an athlete will be directly sent to The Seeing Eye, Inc.
Jim Freiss
Founder of Puppy Ride Long Island.
“I am involved with Puppy Ride Long Island to honor and remember my late brother John, his guide dog Hero and to support an organization that did so much for him. I know what we do here will continue to help others who are sight impaired like my brother. The Seeing Eye, Inc. is an awesome organization with an incredibly passionate team of employees and volunteers that deliver dignity and mobility to the blind through their guide dog foundation! I am all in with The Seeing Eye!”
Previous Events for the Puppies:
Zion 100 Trail Run - 2018,
Solo Crossing Puppy Ride of New York – 2020
Washington DC to Pittsburg Puppy Ride - 2021
Cincinnati to Cleveland Puppy Ride – 2022
Niagara to Long Island Puppy Ride - 2023
Moab 240 Trail Run - 2023
Bill Gironda
Member of Puppy Ride Long Island.
I am really looking forward to spending time with the team in my second year riding for the puppies.
The route is Boston to Canada along the Maine Coast all to benefit The Seeing Eye and the amazing things they do.
Our involvement with The Seeing Eye has led to other rewarding things because of this.
Prior to the ride I will get to attend for the third year Griffin Pinkow’s benefit for his foundation, The Foreseeable Future.
Griffin is a Seeing Eye Graduate and with his dog Lester works to empower others not to set limits on what they can do and to learn to overcome adversity.
He is a Marathoner, Tandem Cyclist and adventurer.
Foreseeable Future works to help the visually impaired and blind community live more fulfilling lives through sports and recreation.
What he does is truly amazing and The Seeing Eye has partially helped make that journey possible.
At our return get-together at the Blue Point Brewery on Long Island on the last day or our ride last year we had our celebration with a great group of friends.
We had the pleasure to share the celebration with NY Safe Haven Animal Rescue and from our group there with us at the finish a total of 6 dogs were rescued.
So all these amazing things that happen when you throw it out there into the universe.
Come and ride with us, support us or just celebrate with us so we can all make a difference to someone out there and meet the friends we don’t know yet.
Niagara Falls to Long island Puppy Ride – 2023
Boston to Canada – Maine Coast Puppy Ride - 2024
Barbara McCoy
Barbara McCoy is fundraising for The Seeing Eye, Inc.
“Having lost my mom to cancer then supporting my husband who has been battling Parkinson’s disease for over 17 years, I was inspired to participate in fundraising activities respectively for Leukemia Lymphoma Society and Michael J Fox Foundation. In 2021, my friend and fellow athlete, Jim Freiss, graciously assisted my husband in adopting Hunter, a change in career seeing eye dog. Hunter is a precious Golden Retriever who, as my husband’s companion, has become a beloved member of our family. Having already participated in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Puppy Rides, I am honored and privileged to again join this year’s Puppy Ride from Boston to Calais, Canada in remembrance of Jim’s late brother, John, and his guide dog, Hero, to support The Seeing Eye’s great work.
Past Fundraising Activities
2022 -Cincinnati to Cleveland Puppy Ride
2021 – DC to Pittsburg Virtual Ride
2014~2022 Marine Corp Marathon Team Chris
2016 & 2017 5 Mile Swim LLS -- 2015
2013 – 2023: Sprint, Olympic, & Half Ironman Events in 25 states
(LLS & MJF Foundation Fundraising)
Upcoming Fundraising Activities:
2024 Puppy Ride
2024 Triathlons in Rhode Island & South Carolina LLS
Bill Ude
Bill Ude is fundraising for The Seeing Eye, Inc.
Donate to Bill by clicking here
I was privileged to join our team leader Jim Freiss in 2021 and 2022 Riding for the Puppies in support of The Seeing Eye, Inc. I am looking forward to fundraising and riding the 2023 Niagara to Long Island Puppy Ride on the New York State Empire Trail in remembrance of Jim’s late brother, John and his guide dog, Hero and to support The Seeing Eye’s great work. I feel very blessed to be healthy and have the ability to help others. Last year we had the privilege of touring the facility in New jJersey, which deepened our support for this foundation.
Previous cycling event for the Puppies.
Washington DC to Pittsburg Puppy Ride – 2021
Cincinnati to Cleveland Puppy Ride –2022
Niagara Falls to Long Island Puppy Ride - 2023
50K shore to shore ultra marathon
Upcoming events
Boston to Canada Puppy Ride 2024!
Rick Chapman
Last summer, the Puppy Riders stopped on their way across New York State for lunch in my hometown, Lockport. Together with a few of my family members, we put together a picnic lunch for the riders. During lunch, I got to meet and talk with all of the riders and I was very impressed with their dedication and how passionate they all were about raising money for the Seeing Eye Organization.
I have a long history of volunteering with a wide variety of organizations. I am especially proud of my 44 years as an active member of the National Ski Patrol. Two years ago, I got to combine my love for skiing, biking, and volunteering when my local ski area opened up mountain biking trails. With 15 other ski patrollers, we started a mountain bike first aid patrol.
So, when I was asked to join the Puppy Ride this year, which involves biking and volunteering, as a support driver, I immediately said yes.
As for my goal for this year’s ride, I plan on working hard to support the riders in every way I can so the ride will be successful.
What I have learned so far about this event is that the riders are dedicated to raising money for a worthwhile cause. The Seeing Eye Organization trains dogs to become partners with visually impaired people so that they can achieve greater independence.
Please, if you are able, donate to the ride and your donation will be put to good use.
Lastly, I would like to thank Jim Freiss for putting his faith in me to help with this year’s ride.
Rick Chapman
Victor Fassano
“I was fortunate enough to meet Jim Freiss a few years ago. He told me stories of he’s brother John and what a difference Hero He’s Seeing Eye dog made in his life. The stories moved me so much that I wanted to help. Now I’m here helping to raise money for The Seeing Eye!
Previous Events for the Puppies:
Washington to Pittsburg Puppy Ride - 2021
Cincinnati to Cleveland Puppy Ride - 2022
Upcoming Events
Niagara Falls to Long Island Puppy Ride 2023
RAGBRIA 2023 My third in three years
I’m competing in my first Iron Man 70.4 in July & my second one in September.
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Jay Ratto
Jay is fundraising for The Seeing Eye, Inc.
Member of Puppy Ride Long Island.
“I am involved with Puppy Ride Long Island to honor and remember my Buddy Jim Freiss’s late brother John, his guide dog Hero and to support an organization that did so much for him. I know what we do here will continue to help others who are sight impaired like John. The Seeing Eye, Inc. is an awesome organization with an incredibly passionate team of employees and volunteers that deliver dignity and mobility to the blind through their guide dog foundation! I am all in with The Seeing Eye!”
Previous Events for the Puppies:
Washington DC to Pittsburg Puppy Ride - 2021
Cincinnati to Cleveland Puppy Ride – 2022
Upcoming Events
Niagara to Long Island Puppy Ride - 2023
Glenn Morse
Glenn Morse is fundraising for The Seeing Eye, Inc.
Donate to Glenn by clicking here
“I’ve been doing multi-day and across state bike rides for over 40 years, including
several fundraisers for the South Dakota Lung Association. I was privileged to join
our team leader Jim Freiss the last 3 years Riding for the Puppies in support of
The Seeing Eye, Inc, the premiere guide dog training organization in the country. Together, running
and riding, the team has raised over $ 120,000 since 2018.
I am looking forward to fundraising for The Seeing Eye again this year and riding the
2024 Long Island Puppy Ride from Boston to the Canadian border in Maine in
remembrance of Jim’s late brother, John and his guide dog, Hero.
This year’s ride will allow me to once again combine my passion for cycling while
contributing to the great work being done by The Seeing Eye.”
Previous Cycling Activities
South Dakota Lung Association Black Hills Rides
RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across
Iowa -39 years)
Cycle Oregon
Ride Idaho
Bike Virginia
Ride the Rockies
In addition to the 2024 Ride for the Puppies, I will be doing my 40th RAGBRAI in July.
Kevin Green
Kevin Green is fundraising for The Seeing Eye Inc.
(Ride Support for Puppy Ride Long Island)
“I am proud to be involved in Puppy Ride Long Island. I give thanks to Jim for asking me to be part of this great group. I am proud to be able to contribute in a small way to making the rides a success. Over the last two years I have supported this team in their ride across the state of Ohio and most recently their ride across the state of New York! As of last year, the team has elected me the Logistics Captain!
Previous Events for the Puppies
Cincinnati to Cleveland Puppy Ride – 2022
Niagara to Long Island Puppy Ride - 2023
Upcoming Events for the Puppies
Boston to Easter Canada 2024!
Kate and David Mickle
Kate and David are fundraising for The Seeing Eye Inc
Kate and David have family activities this year that are keeping them from joining us again! Hope we see them again on future rides!
(Ride Support for Puppy Ride Long Island)
“My husband (David) and I are so excited to be able to volunteer as part of the support team for this year’s Puppy Ride!
This event and The Seeing Eye, Inc. are dear to our hearts. We witnessed first-hand how our brother John’s life dramatically improved with his seeing eye dog, Hero. We love that we can help raise funds and awareness for the generous organization.
The bonus is that we can support and cheer on our brother, Jim and the Puppy Ride Long Island Group!”
