Published July 31, 2019
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The fight against cystic fibrosis is personal for Thomas Road resident Joel Steiner and nine close friends who live in town.
Steiner and fellow residents Matt DiVirgilio, Brian Haney, Daniel Hansen, Greg Monaghan, Gerard Noumi, John Pace, Mark Preston, Louis Tramontozzi and Bobby Williams participated in the Seacoast Safari CF Cycle for Life fundraiser as part of the Zapatos Blancos team last month. New York resident Joe Montesano, Connecticut resident Matt Egan, New Jersey resident Frank Cruz and New Hampshire resident Tim Freeman joined the local residents during the cycling fundraiser, which raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“CF Cycle for Life is a unique event that empowers participants to take action and demonstrate their fight in finding a cure for cystic fibrosis in a tangible, emotional and powerful way,” said Steiner in an interview with the Villager.
The 18th annual bike-a-thon took most of the Zapatos Blancos team along a beautiful 65-mile trek along the coast of New Hampshire and Maine, all while raising funds and awareness in the fight against cystic fibrosis. Two riders completed the 100-mile course.
ZAPATOS BLANCOS team members, from left, Matt DiVirgilio, John Pace, Tim Freeman, Matt Egan, Louis Tramontozzi, Brian Haney, Bobby Williams, Gerard Noumi, Joel Steiner, Greg Monaghan, Frank Cruz, Daniel Hansen, Mark Preston and Joe Montesano get ready to embark on Seacoast Safari CF Cycle for Life fundraiser last month. (Courtesy Photo)
“CF has a family connection and is something I’m passionate about,” said Steiner. “We ride for those who physically can’t and raise funds to find a cure. It’s a great opportunity to do good for others while getting in shape and having some fun along the way.”
Steiner said the Zapatos Blancos team became involved with the fundraiser in 2013 and has “grown significantly” over the last six years.
“The first year we had five riders and this year we had 14,” said Steiner. “This event is really great and after your ride, you feel great that you were able to contribute and make a difference. Outside of the event, we make this a family mini-getaway weekend, creating long-term happy memories. We travel with our families and stay in Wells, Maine. It’s really an opportunity to connect together. There’s a lot of laughter from children playing together, and we celebrate the accomplishment with a family-style barbecue.”
Steiner noted Zapatos Blancos won two awards during the fundraiser: The Team CF Award and the Top Team Award for fundraising.
“The Team CF Award recognized our team’s significant growth to 14 members,” said Steiner. “We also raised the most of any team in this year’s chapter event with over $12,000.”
CF Cycle for Life Event Coordinator Lindsay Gilbert noted, “The Team CF Award goes to the team that goes above and beyond in their support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.”
“The Zapatos Blancos not only doubled the amount of riders on their team but more than doubled the funds that they raised for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,” said Gilbert in a statement.
Steiner said the fundraiser is incredibly important to him and the team’s 13 other participants.
“This event is important for a few reasons,” said Steiner. “The first and primary reason is we are able to make a contribution to battle a serious disease that affects over 30,000 families in the U.S. Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that causes unusually thick, sticky mucus. Because of this, people with CF face life-threatening lung infections and digestive issues. While tremendous progress has been made toward finding a cure, the lives of people with CF are still cut far too short.”
Steiner said the fundraiser also enabled the Zapatos Blancos team members to “get in better shape through cycling” as well as enjoy some quality time with family and friends.
When asked what is the most rewarding part of the fundraiser, Steiner said, “Knowing we made a difference in helping fund new research and extending lives.”
Steiner noted the team’s name, Zapatos Blancos, originates from an inside joke.
“We like to keep things light-hearted and have fun while making a difference,” said Steiner. “The first year we rode, one of the guys wore white loafers. After some back-and-forth banter, the group voted to change our name to Zapatos Blancos to honor his loafers.”
Selectman Chris Barrett commended Steiner and the rest of the Zapatos Blancos team for joining the fight against CF.
“As a selectman, I always take great pride in the fact that what’s best about Lynnfield are the numerous people who always go above and beyond to make our community and world a better place,” said Barrett. “It’s worthwhile to celebrate people like Joel and his group of dedicated dads who found time in their busy lives to dedicate their time, talents and treasure for an important cause like research for families and people with cystic fibrosis.”
Steiner said residents can still donate to the Zapatos Blancos team by visiting https://fightcf.cff.org/site/TR/Cycle/100_Northern_New_England_Nashua?team_id=79738&pg=team&fr_id=7540.
“Donations are still rolling in,” said Steiner.
If residents would like to join Zapatos Blancos next year, they should email Steiner at joelsteiner@gmail.com.
“Much of our team didn’t have a bike before getting involved in this event, myself included,” said Steiner. “Besides donating, there’s other ways to give. The event offers three different routes, 30 miles, 65 miles or 100 miles. Most of our team completed the 65-mile course, but a few brave souls completed the 100-mile course.”
