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Dara The Doer Of Good Deeds
posted (July 23, 2015)
Grassroots Philanthropist Joel Dara Robinson is holding his 4th annual Ride for Hunger. As viewers may know, it is an initiative to raise money for his feeding program, in which participants sign up and pay a small fee which goes toward a fund to buy food items for needy school children.

This year, however, it is bittersweet for Dara, because slain Amandala Journalist Kareem Clarke will not be there to help promote it or participate in it. He told us today that he has put together some memorabilia in Clarke's honor, which will be a prominent feature of this year's ride. He explained it to us this afternoon:

Joel Dara Robinson - Philanthropist
"I didn't know how and what to do to feel the spirit of Kareem on the ride. I got a vision of the bicycle and went to ask his mom if I could have use his bicycle to ride it. The plan was to ride it but the feeling I got from her house to ride this bicycle wasn't a nice feeling. So I said I had to come up with another idea, I decorated the bicycle and put a picture of Kareem on it. This bicycle is going on the trailer with the music and trucks, this will be right ahead of the ride as my tribute and respect to Kareem. Because you guys in the media, I know you feel it and there's something special about him because its the country that feels for his death. And if we don't continue to touch on his story and bring it up, just like the others, nothing will come out of it and another life will go like that."

"So I'm paying a tribute to Kareem and he'll always be in my heart. I might not be able to do it every year, to just carry his bicycle but this one is special. Last year we had over 300 people, I'm not looking for crowds or showing off about the biggest ride of the country, it's the support."

"Last year we got like 175 out of the crowd registering. This year I'm asking people, if you don't have the $10 to register, give something, food, school supplies, because those kids ask for more than food. The ride will leave from in front of SMART, 2 1/2 miles, going to Ladyville, through Boom Road where we will take a 10 minutes break. For those who can't continue, we have a truck to get in, and we'll continue down the George price highway and take another break at 8 miles. Again, for the people who can't continue the ride, we have a vehicle you can get in. we'll continue to the Boulevard and end up back at Smart, where we will have a little celebration. I have a tribute song that I have for this brother that I will play during the ride."

The ride happens this Sunday at 6:30 a.m. It moves off from Smart's headquarters on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Participants are asked to pay their $10 and wear a helmet. They are allowed to use any type of bike to participate.

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