Zerr Berg Architects and Gehrtz Construction Services joined forces with Eventide Senior Living Communities to celebrate money raised for the Eventide Foundation during Giving Hearts Day 2023.
This year for Giving Hearts Day, ZBA and GCS pledged to match funds made to the Eventide Foundation by employees and interested community members. Together the companies raised $4,445 for the foundation. The money raised will be used towards the purchase of a new adaptive recumbent bike for Eventide residents. These bikes give seniors the ability to enjoy bike rides outdoors without worrying about exhausting themselves or risking injury.
The Eventide Foundation first purchased adaptive bikes in 2019 and residents at Eventide’s five campuses have been enjoying daily cruises ever since. Each campus has two different types of adaptive bicycles. One type is a side-by-side where the resident rides next to a staff member and pedals as much as they want. The other type makes it possible for residents in wheelchairs to securely go on a ride. Bicycles provide freedom of movement, fresh air, and the feeling of “being a kid again,” as so eloquently stated by a resident rider.
To celebrate the funds raised, on Thursday, May 18th, ZBA principal architect Brian Berg joined Eventide President Jon Riewer on a “Tour de Eventide,” visiting all Eventide facilities in the F/M metro. The pair rode nearly 30 miles on bike as they made their way to each facility, where residents and staff greeted them with encouragement, refreshments and smiles.
ZBA and GCS have been an active part of fundraising for different local nonprofit organizations on Giving Hearts Day for the last 3 years. Eventide has participated in Giving Hearts Day since 2016 with the average contributions totaling $12-13,000 each year. This partnership, in support of the adaptive bicycle program, helped Eventide raise over $18,000 this year!
