Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company

The Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company, the Bridgeville Police Department, Woodbridge JROTC, and students of the Caroline Career and Technologies Center Culinary Arts were honored to host a meal for the Tour De Force ride of 2011. On September 10, 2011 the "Tour De Force NY" had started "Cycling for Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice" on September 11, 2001. The ride is a fundraiser and the proceeds are donated to the families of police officers, killed in the line of duty. Each rider is required to raise at least $1,000 to take part in the ride. Riders took part from across the country and well as many international participants. The tour had started at "Ground Zero" and will finish at the Pentagon on September 11, 2011. There were 380 Riders that had taken part in this event honoring Those Who Gave Their Life to help save others in the time of need. Riders stopped by the BVFC station and were served a meal by students of the Caroline Career and Technologies Center Culinary Arts. The event was coordinated by members of the Bridgeville Police Department. History of The Tour de Force "The “Tour de Force” was started in 2002 after Det. Robert De Paolis of the NYPD (since retired) decided to ride his bike to honor the fallen police officers that gave their lives in the September 11, 2001 attacks. He was then joined by 8 other members of the NYPD and one member of the Bronx District Attorney's Office and along with four volunteer support personnel, they cycled their way from the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, through Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey and finally to Ground Zero, NYC. In 2003, the Tour de Force was incorporated in the state of New York as a nonprofit charity and later gained 501(c)3 status from the IRS." " The TDF has now evolved into an annual four day event in which we continue to remember our brothers and sisters that died that fateful day. In their honor, we have made it our mission to raise funds for families of police officers nationwide that are killed in the line of duty. The TDF also holds several one day benefit events, each year." " Each September, law enforcement officers from around the country and abroad depart on bicycles and journey approximately 250 miles along the east coast to support this cause. Each and every rider participates in raising funds to support what we all believe is a wonderful and very worthwhile endeavor. It is the belief in our mission that brings so many participants back year after year." " In 2008 the TDF purchased an enclosed trailer that serves as our mobile H.Q. during the 9/11 Memorial Ride and our one day events. The trailer allows the staff to store bikes, equipment, first aid kits and many other items that are needed to properly support our participants. " " The Tour de Force is a fully supported ride with a dedicated support staff of volunteers. Since our first ride in 2002, we have now grown to more than 210 riders and 30 support team members. Six regional coordinators help guide the participants in their region, while a four member Board of Directors is charged with the yearly operations, planning, and facilitation of this nonprofit organization."