by Rachel Hunter

The First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur’s fitness ministry, RipIt, has completed a month‑long community challenge to honor and support the mission of the Ryan’s Wish Foundation and support families facing cancer or life-threatening illness.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that RipIt is now in its 12th year. What began as a small fitness group has grown into a ministry rooted in wellness, fellowship, and spiritual encouragement. Members — affectionately known as Ripiteers — meet to support one another in their physical goals while building a safe, uplifting space for personal and spiritual growth.

Throughout April, RipIt hosted its second 100 Mile Challenge. Twenty‑seven teams, each made up of three to five participants, committed to walking a collective 100 miles per team. Many walked in honor of loved ones, in support of neighbors facing difficult diagnoses, or for those no longer able to take the steps themselves. The challenge was inspired by a virtual American Cancer Society initiative, which RipIt adapted into a team‑based format to “share the load.” The inaugural event raised $1,000 for the American Cancer Society. Each participant this year pledged to make a donation to support the Ryan’s Wish Foundation.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that the Ryan’s Wish Foundation’s mission to help those diagnosed with cancer and serious illnesses throughout St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Franklin and Lewis counties.

Gouverneur’s own Dr. Robert Saidel and his wife Rita founded Ryan’s Wish Foundation in memory of their son, who strived to live life to the fullest even as he battled cancer. Ryan Saidel from Gouverneur, NY was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 14 years old and fought the disease for five years before he passed at age 19 on February 7, 2004. During his five-year struggle, Ryan touched the lives of countless people. To those around him, Ryan defined the word courage as he lived his life inspiring others to make the best of each and every day.

The Ryan’s Wish Foundation (501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization) was created to celebrate the inspirational life of Ryan Saidel. The foundation is dedicated to helping people who are battling a serious illness to “play and live strong.” The Foundation serves people in the tri-county areas of Northern New York: Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. Funds received from the Foundation can help offset traveling costs and other expenses incurred by individuals and their families during treatment or hospitalization. More than $1 million has been distributed to help North Country residents who had been diagnosed with cancer and serious illness throughout St. Lawrence County, Jefferson County, and Lewis County.

By month’s end, the Ripiteers had surpassed their goal. The total raised to date is $3,300. To celebrate the accomplishment — and to honor the people behind every mile — RipIt invited all teams, supporters, and members of the Ryan’s Wish Foundation Board to gather on April 30 for “The Final Mile.” The walk served as a unifying moment, bringing participants together to complete one last mile side by side. Organizer Amber Ormasen described it as a powerful symbol of community strength, shared purpose, and unwavering support for those battling cancer or life-threatening illness.

In her opening address, she said the following: “What started as a fun little challenge within our RipIt ministry, just a way to stay motivated, get outside, get our steps in, has grown into something so much bigger and so much more meaningful. This is actually our second walk, and we would like to be able to make this an annual thing. This became a way to truly support a local mission of the Ryan's Wish Foundation. This year alone, we had 27 teams sign up, with groups of 3-5 people. We had teams of local and virtual people stepping up, and some logging over 100 miles for their teams, even into the 200's, 300's, and as of today, we had a team who hit 500 miles as a team. But what's even more powerful is that it didn't stop with the teams. We had people in the community step in to sponsor, donate, and support, showing what it truly looks like when a community comes together for something bigger than themselves…

“The reason we chose the Ryan's Wish Foundation in the first place, is because so many people right in our RipIt ministry, specifically this year alone, has been impacted by the generosity of this foundation. And when you really think about it, the mission of the Ryan's Wish Foundation aligns so beautifully with what RipIt has always been about these past 12 years. We've always tried to show up for each other through challenges, through struggles, through life. We've loved each other, supported each other, and lifted each other up in ways that go far beyond fitness.

“This challenge became another extension of that, this April Step Challenge. A way to recognize the importance of our health, and a reminder that movement, connection, and community are powerful tools in facing whatever life is going to throw at your way. Because the truth is, all of us standing here in this parking lot, we never know what challenges we may face, tomorrow or down the road. What we do know, which is abundantly clear as we stand here, is that we're not going to face it alone…” Mrs. Ormasen then extended heartfelt gratitude to the Ryan’s Wish Foundation Board Members and to all the dedicated volunteers, offering a special thank‑you to every person who walked — and to all who supported, donated, and encouraged the effort from near and far.

Ryan’s Wish Foundation Board Member Gary West spoke about the foundation’s humble beginnings, remembering the early days when he and his wife were excited to have $5,000 in the bank. Two decades later, he said, that number has multiplied many times over, with more than $1 million distributed to North Country residents facing cancer or serious illness. “When you talk about a ministry doing God’s work right here on Earth,” he said, “it’s because of people like you.” He acknowledged board members and volunteers present before offering heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Ryan’s Wish Foundation.

Mrs. Ormasen then encouraged all those in attendance to complete either a half‑mile or full‑mile loop at their own pace. “This is just for us to be together and to walk with purpose,” she said, before inviting the group to begin. During the walk, participants passed the home of Dr. Robert and Rita Saidel in Gouverneur and placed golden stars in their yard — each one a solemn tribute to a life the Ryan’s Wish Foundation has helped carry through its hardest days. There was one star for each of the 225 recipients supported by the foundation from 2025 to the present.

Those who participated in the 100 Mile Challenge included: Team Daisy (JoAnn Crandall, Staci Hayden, Ashley Barr, and Leesa Isereau), Team Rose (Tina French, Leanne Bos, Heather Fischel, and Brandy Crawn), Team Sunny Steppers (Natasha Matthie, Ashley Matthie, and Destiny Horton), Wildflowers (Sheri Sharpe, Cindy Ferry, Wendall Greene, and Shelly Jenkins), Lotus (Kylie Prashaw, Alissa McEathron, Pam Stevens, and Kayla Side), Tulip (Hunter Gollinger, Raechelle Willix, Ashley Sharpstene, and Amanda Newvine), Team Walkamolies (Melissa Breckenridge, Jennie Young, Brian Woodrow, and Keara Woodrow), Team Morning Glories (Jennifer Haynes, Jordyn Girard, Alisa Jenne, Charlotte Hicks, and Wendy Vernon), Team Miles & Smiles (Rachel Hooley, Audrey Heatherly, and Austin Heatherly), Glow & Go Mamas (Brittany Lewis, Lauren Briggs, Brittaney Fairbanks), Team Misfits (Kate Yaw, Leila Spencer, Tabbitha Bernard, Allysa Byrd, Jahonna Sloan, Amyah Bernard, and Lara Marcellus), Peppy Perennials (Missy Jones, Dede Scozzafava, Karen Keenan, and Debbie Reddick), Wild Flowers (Robyn Estey, Melissa Tersmette, Michele Lallier, and Julie Wainwright), Hit Me Baby One More Mile (Desiree Simmons, Kristina Hitchman, Chelsi Griffith, Nola Farns, and Candace Brown), Team Lilac (Rachel Laso, Sandi Berry, Sandy Constance, and Karley Wake), Miles in Motion Squad (Donna Massey, Kasie McCurdy, and Lisa Fairbanks), Stroll Patrol (Beth Siebels, Alicia Reed, and Ginnie Nichols), Blister Sisters (Clara Cummings, Marcie Tyler, Patti Rumble, and Stacey Devlin), Agony De Feet (Lisa Stowell, Tammy Mullin, and Emily Mullin), Team Baer (Joel Baer, Denise Baer, and Ellen Baer), Blue Suede Schuess (Glenda, Betsy, Katie, and Jane Schuessler), All About That Pace (Kortni Brown, Meaghan Liscum, Jared Fuller, and Liza Bowman), Love Birds with a Cause (Amber and Nick Ormasen, and Norma and Robert McAdam), Team Cosmos (Pat Williams, Alyssa Lalka, Paula Bates, and Amy McAdam), Just Keep Walking (Rochelle Pratt, Sara Fitzgerald, and Matt Escarciga), Sole Mates (Morgan Massey, Shelley Burnham, Brooke June, and Megan Weldon), Sunshine Girls (Glenda Bickford, Joan Mason, Janet Boyd, and Linda Golija), and Flower Power (Sara Petrie, Andrea Ashmore, Rebecca Hocking, and Trisha Taylor).

For more information about First UMC of Gouverneur or RipIt, call 315-287-2440 or visit www.gouverneurumc.org