Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 21st for the 8th Annual Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run. This iconic event is the only day of the year pedestrians are permitted on the famous Claiborne Pell Bridge, and 100% of the proceeds from this event benefit local nonprofits through the RITBA Foundation. The event is produced by Gray Matter Marketing, and registration will open soon.

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority Foundation grants funds to local and regional organizations with the proceeds generated the Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run and the 4 Bridges Ride. The Foundation partners with local communities and nonprofit organizations that positively impact the lives of Rhode Islanders.

Last year, more than $115,000 was granted to RITBA Foundation beneficiaries, while an additional $44,000 was raised online in support of participants. Since 2014, more than $525,000 has been contributed to local nonprofits in conjunction with the two events.

Applications are open for 2018 grants at http://www.ritba.org/ritba-foundation. Local and regional organizations are encouraged to apply until June 1, 2018.

For more information on the Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run, visit www.pellbridgerun.com

The 4 Bridges Ride, another RITBA Foundation event produced by Gray Matter Marketing, is also open for grant applications. This bike ride starts in North Kingston and finishes in Bristol, taking bicyclists across four of the state’s bridges; the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, the Claiborne Pell Bridge, the Sakonett River Bridge and the Mt. Hope Bridge. This non-competitive, but challenging ride, takes place in September. Registration dates will be announced soon at www.4bridgesride.com.

Ryan Belmore

Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What'sUpNewp.  He has been involved with What’sUpNewp since shortly after its launch in 2012, proudly leading it to be named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and an honorable mention in the Common Good Awards in 2021.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Potter League For Animals. He previously served on the boards of Fort Adams Trust, Lucy's Hearth, and the Arts & Cultural Alliance for Newport County.

In 2020, he was named Member of the Year by LION and won the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County's Dominque Award.

He is a member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.

Born and raised in Rhode Island, he spent 39 years living in Rhode Island before recently moving to Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and two rescue dogs. He still considers Rhode Island home, and visits at least once a month.