- March 28, 2024
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In 2007, cyclist Sherry McMahon made a New Year’s resolution to ride her bicycle one mile for every dollar donated toward animal rescue. Nine years later, she is still riding for the cause.
When she crossed the finish line in downtown Winter Garden on Jan. 3, she had pedaled 1,000 miles in 2015 and raised $3,500, the largest annual amount to date. Allen Wooldridge and Pam Abrams also contributed miles. Wooldridge is a significant donor and fundraiser, too.
To date, McMahon, dubbed the Rescue Rider, has ridden a total of 9,300 miles and raised $22,000 for animal rescue. Groups that benefited from her donations in the last year are Candy’s Cats, The Haven for Injured and Orphaned Wildlife and the new TREATS Program that teaches prisoners to train shelter dogs at The Transition House in Osceola County.
Donations have been given for emergency medical care of injured and abused animals, as well.
In addition to dogs and cats, McMahon also rescues birds, rabbits, squirrels and other wildlife and transports them to the Wildlife Haven, where Mary Jane Isner has been saving wildlife for the past 30 years.
Supporters of the Rescue Rider also donate dog and cat food for families in need.
Last year, McMahon started a new business, Sherry’s Animal Kookies, which she sells at the Winter Garden Farmers Market.
To make a donation to the McMahon, go to rescuerider.com.
Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].