Page 40 - BusinessWest February 17, 2025

Bank, AFC Urgent Care, and Domino’s Pizza, among other partners, are critical. Over the years, proceeds have supported many causes in the region,
including Christina’s House, On-Site Academy, Square One, multiple police and firefighter memorials, several neighborhood playgrounds and soccer fields, and other community-based initiatives.
Shannon Mumblo, who founded Christina’s House and was honored
by BusinessWest as a Woman of Impact in 2021, when she served as the nonprofit’s executive director, was one of three individuals who nominated Delaney as a Difference Maker this year.
“It’s more than just a ride,” she wrote. “It’s a powerful tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of our local law-enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line every day.”
Those aren’t just words for Mumblo, who backs them up by organizing the
“It’s more than just a ride. It’s a powerful tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of our local law-enforcement officers and fir”st responders who put their lives on the line every day.
ride’s 100-plus volunteers every year, Delaney said. “She gives them jobs, makes sure the rest stops are manned, helps collect the donated food ... she’s a monster. She does everything, and with a smile on her face.”
With the support of people like that, as well as his dedicated wife and everyone else who contributes to the event’s success, it’s no wonder Delaney stressed, multiple times, that this Difference Makers honor isn’t his alone — not by a longshot.
And, again, the community impact is huge. Ride to Remember has supported Christina’s House — which takes in homeless mothers and their children and helps them return to independence — to the tune of about $250,000 over the years. Ambrose’s widow, Carla, chose that nonprofit as one of the ride’s supported causes because, Delaney said, Ambrose was a family man.
“I can remember when I was a younger cop, and we would come across women with kids sleeping in the bus station. We had no avenue ... where do
Riders gather in downtown Springfield, as they do at the start of every Ride to Remember.
you take those people? It was definitely a void that needed to be filled in the community, and Christina’s House is filling it.”
As noted, other nonprofits have benefited from the ride as well. “We donate to a charity that helps police officers and counsels them through post- traumatic stress,” said Delaney. “If they witness a shooting or if they witness
a baby dying, that weighs heavy on a cop’s shoulder. A lot of times, they have nowhere to turn, so we donate to that. I’m very proud of the charities that we donate to. All of them are based here in Western Massachusetts.”
“I’m very proud of the charities that we donate to”. All of them are based here in Western Massachusetts.
He said the ride is deeply personal to each rider in their own way.
“A really good friend of mine, Sal Persico, was a police officer in Florida, and he came up here to live. I coached his daughters in soccer. He was my best friend; he was like my brother. He did every ride with me, but he died of a massive heart attack, taken way too early in life. I ride for him every year. His family is like my family.
“So every year, before the ride, I always give a little speech after a prayer, and I say, ‘the Ride to Remember means a lot to a lot of people. Everybody out here that’s riding, remember somebody that you’ve lost, that you’ve loved in life. It could be a father, uncle, grandmother, best friend, or the police officers. While you’re riding, remember that person. That’s what it’s about.”
Delaney still does plenty of riding on his own time. “My friends and I will go out and do 100 mikes a week. It’s just part of our nature.”
But even for those who can’t say the same, Ride to Remember is a very doable — and deeply meaningful — effort, one that truly makes a deep impact in the region. Just like the Difference Maker who helped start it because he wanted to keep some heroes’ memories alive. BW
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