Emmaus Cycle for Shelter Rider Spotlight: Why Chris and Cora Seferlis Ride

The Seferlis family rides Cycle for Shelter together in 2018, with 7-year-old Cora the youngest solo participant. (Courtesy photograph)

The Seferlis family rides Cycle for Shelter together this year, with 7-year-old Cora the youngest solo participant. (Courtesy photograph)

Editor’s Note: The annual Cycle for Shelter bike ride benefitting Emmaus takes place on Sunday, July 22 at Northern Essex Community College. Ahead of the event, WHAV is profiling several riders and sharing why they ride. Here, WHAV gets to know rider Chris Seferlis and his daughter Cora, this year’s youngest participant.

As a founding member of the Cycle for Shelter team 3 Flat Tires, Chris Seferlis has raised more than $80,000 with his teammates, but what the Bradford father of two is most proud of is how he’s gotten his family involved in giving back to Emmaus.

This year, 100-miler Seferlis will dial down his 10th anniversary route so that his family—including wife Kristen, 7-year-old daughter Cora and 5-year-old daughter Thea—are able to take part.

Riding the 20-mile route together is less about staying active and more about instilling a sense of philanthropy in his daughters, Seferlis said.

Ahead of the ride, Cora told WHAV she’s raised $80 through donations from her classmates at Bradford Elementary and plans to sell golf balls and water near the family’s home on the Bradford Country Club course.

The family also makes regular trips to the Emmaus food pantry on Winter Street to sort food donations—a task Cora welcomes in between summer trips and swim team practice.

“I really like helping people and being kind,” Cora told WHAV.

Joining a team of nearly a dozen as Cycle for Shelter’s youngest rider doesn’t seem to faze Cora, who tells WHAV she’ll be all set as her dad brings along one ride essential: An air pump. After all, she doesn’t want to fall victim to the same fate as some of her adult teammates.

“We just have to put a little more air in my tires to make sure I don’t get a flat tire!” she joked to WHAV.

To donate to the Seferlis family’s Cycle for Shelter ride, visit Emmausinc.org.

MEET OTHER CYCLE FOR SHELTER RIDERS

Darien Terrile – click here for his story

Sue Cullen – click here for her story

Sharron Norman – click here for her story

Tim Jordan – click here for his story