Tour des Lacs in Fenton Raises $14,000 for Congenital Heart Disease Research

On Saturday, Kim Foerster will ride the scenic 100K Tour des Lacs course in the Fenton area with some friends. They will pedal down winding roads, past area lakes on the route 335 bicyclists rode during the 10th Annual Tour des Lacs on Aug. 4.

The event was a couple of Saturdays ago, but Foerster was busy working during her annual fundraiser, which raises money to support congenital heart disease research at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Congenital Heart Center, she said. Her efforts are in honor of her young son Braylon, who passed away from a serious heart condition he was born with.

This year, Tour des Lacs supporters contributed almost $14,000 toward the cause, with entry fees for the cycling event, checks and money donated through the University of Michigan's online giving page. In its 10 years, the event has raised more than $75,000 for congenital heart disease research, Foerster said.

Her goal for the 2013 Tour des Lacs is to have 500 bicyclists participate. Foerster is getting closer to the goal, with more cyclists this year (335, up from 300 in 2011).

Tour des Lacs had 58 volunteers this year, including Foerster's sister Barb Schick, who traveled from Marietta, Ga. for her first Tour des Lacs. Schick said she's a cyclist, but, like Foerster, she worked at the event, helping with registration and the hydration station.

"I thought it was a fantastic race," Schick said. "The enthusiasm of everyone there is amazing."

Attendees' athletic ability was remarkable, she added. Like Foerster, Schick is hoping the Tour des Lacs has 500 cyclists next year.

Foerster is giving a picnic this weekend for her volunteers. Tour des Lacs committee members work on the event year-round, she said, and they will start planning the 2013 Tour des Lacs this weekend.

She thanks graphic artist Sue Shaw, Ron Stack of CycleFit Multisport in Fenton; Mike Green, owner of Crust; her sister Becky Foerster; Peggy Matta; a dear friend, Linda Kelly; Melissa McFall; husband Brett Foerster, and Pat Bartolac, who administers the Tour des Lacs website from South Carolina.

In addition, Tour des Lacs has several sponsors, many of whom have supported the event for all 10 years. One of the 10-year sponsors, Grand Blanc Motor Cars, contributes vehicles for the event to support the cyclists, Foerster said. Sponsors also include HealthPlus Health Plans, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, Shaw, and Don Franco Hair Company.