BELFAST — The 3rd Annual Bryan’s Ride will take place on Saturday, July 27. Bryan’s Ride is in honor and remembrance of Bryan Lee William Totman, who passed away in a tragic accident in July, 2021 at 9 years old. Bryan excelled in and loved science and math, attending the Challenger Center of Maine’s Astronaut Camp shortly before passing.

His family and friends gather each year to raise funds to give other children opportunities they might otherwise not have due to financial, social or other difficulties. Bryan’s families have formed a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, Totman Strong, Inc., with a mission to give children educational opportunities. Proceeds from Bryan’s Ride benefit children from local Maine communities.

The event on Saturday, July 27, begins for riders at the Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast, with registration from 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m., and kickstands up at 10 a.m., ending at the Challenger Center of Maine, at 30 Venture Way, in Bangor around noon. 

This year the families were generously invited by the Challenger Center of Maine to end the ride and hold the rest of the event at their facility in Bangor, to allow the public to see where donated funds are going.

“It’s an exciting program that introduces children to science and space,” said a news release. “It is a terrific opportunity to see the facility and meet the staff.”

Families and children are encouraged to come, enjoy some food and games, get to know the families and get a tour of the Challenger facility. 

In 2022, the organization raised enough to send 5 children to the camp on a full scholarship. In 2023, the benefit raised $6,500, enough to send 15 children to the camp this summer on a full scholarship. Each student is nominated by a teacher or school official and recipients are chosen by the Challenger Center.

Additional details and information can be found on facebook at https://facebook.com/totmanstrong, the website https://totmanstrong.org, via email totmanstrong@gmail.com or by phone: Nikki Ard, 207-323-8683, Sue Totman, 207-322-2567 or Jamie Leathers (207)930-5507.