Riderwood Part of Team Erickson’s Prep for 2014 Dragon Boat Races This Saturday

Team Erickson Living takes a moment from their vigorous summer practice schedule to pose for a photo. They will be competing in the 2014 Dragon Boat Races on Saturday, September 6 to benefit Catholic Charities.

In the midst of a vigorous 9-week practice schedule, they’ve sweated and toiled, building stamina and surviving the perilous seas of Canton Harbor.

Team Erickson Living has left no stone unturned in its preparation for the 2014 Dragon Boat Races on September 6 to benefit Catholic Charities.  The event takes place in Baltimore’s world-famous Inner Harbor.

The 27-member team consists of employees from the Erickson Living corporate offices in Catonsville and the communities of Charlestown (Catonsville, MD), Oak Crest (Parkville, MD) and Riderwood (Silver Spring, MD).

Eleven of those employees come from Riderwood:  Dr. Rachelle Alexion, Abby Dyjack, Leigh Hancil, Dr. Eugenio Machado, George Mishraky, Dr. Mark Parkhurst, Kevin Patterson, Nathan Prehn, Dr. Loveen Puthumana, Franklin Richburg and Suzanne Snyder.

It’s a veteran team, with many participating since the 2002 racing season.  They are captained by Adam Dickson, Assistant Administrator for the extended care neighborhood at Oak Crest.

“It is very fulfilling to participate in the Dragon Boat Races.  There’s nothing like working cooperatively with twenty other paddlers to move a two-ton vessel through the harbor in front of thousands of spectators,” described Mr. Dickson.  “It is a physical and mental challenge, but Team Erickson Living is up to the task.”

“Most importantly, though, the event serves as a major fundraiser for Catholic Charities.  We make donations and raise money to support their mission and our program partner, St. Ann’s Adult Day Services,” noted Dr. Machado, Medical Center Director at Riderwood.  “We’ve worked with them for two years, getting to know the people they help and providing volunteer services.”

In fact, the Catholic Charities Dragon Boat Races began in 1998 and provide significant revenue to fund 88 programs in Maryland.  The Races also offer a competitive team-building opportunity for the businesses and organizations that sponsor each team.

The event begins at 8 a.m.  Typically, races consist of four teams per heat, start at the World Trade Center and end near the Science Center.

For more information about the 2014 Dragon Boat Races, including opportunities to support Team Erickson Living, please visit http://bit.ly/1oMLVU6.

About Jeff Getek

Jeff Getek is the public affairs manager for Riderwood, the Erickson Living retirement community in Silver Spring. He authors the blog The Journey On on MyMCMedia.

View all posts by Jeff Getek