The Ben to the Shore event brings awareness and funding to Families Behind the Badge
It’s hard to imagine how a man with four children, who is also the police chief of Ambler Borough Police Department, somehow finds time to bike, but it’s true. Chief Jeff Borkowski even said that biking is something he “does a lot.”
“And, with summer, it is always extra incentive to get in shape,” said Borkowski. He and his wife Janell recently completed their annual tradition of participating in the “Ben to the Shore” bike tour on Sunday, July 21.
Benefitting the Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation, the annual event raises money for the families of fallen first responders. This nonprofit raises money to “provide necessary financial relief for the families of fallen or critically injured first responders,” as well as a focus to “cultivate relationships and interactions between first responders and the communities they serve,” said ben2shore.org, a site for the bike tour.
“Being in this field for so long, I guess I have such an attachment to it,” said Borkowski, who said he was happy to support such an important cause. “Today, it seems like so many [first responders] lose their lives, and I feel obligated to do something”
Adding that this “something” is also a sport he enjoys brings all the more pleasure to the activity. This year, the Borkowskis raised $1,142 in donations for the 65-mile trek.
“What I do, I make a habit of it, make up some paperwork and emails,” said the chief. “I go door-to-door to local businesses and speak with them in person. They are very generous.”
This year, Borkowski said he had a helping hand from Ambler Savings Bank and the Rotary Club, which not only donated but also helped spread the word.
“They even reached to out to others for me,” he said. “I had people I didn’t even contact giving. We had a lot of support.” The chief said that each year, he and his wife try to top the prior year’s figure and earn more for the nonprofit charity.
Borkowski, who has been with the police for 29 years, has been police chief in Ambler for the past three. The Montgomery County resident has been participating in the bike fundraiser for the past 15 years, even when it was formerly known as “Tour de Shore.” He noted that the county’s district attorney, Kevin R. Steele, also has a big hand in the event.
“He is a big proponent of it,” said Borkowski. “He operates ‘Wheels of Justice,’ and he rides.” Wheels of Justice brings together several of Steele’s county contacts and coworkers to also raise funds for the event.
He said that the event is always well-organized and a lot of fun.
“The ride itself is just amazing,” said Borkowski. “They take care of the safety aspects. We pretty much start at the base of the Ben Franklin Bridge and have a smooth ride to Atlantic City.”
The chief noted that, while some year’s weather has been a big factor, this year’s mid-80s “wasn’t too bad.”
“We start early, around 7 a.m. and are down there by 11:30 [a.m.] after the rest stops,” said Borkowski. “They offer food, water, Gatorade. They even have bike repair shops in case you have problems.”
With his four children now ages 19 to 25, Borkowski said he has a dream to someday race in the Ben to Shore with the whole family.
“It’s enjoyable and a challenge,” said the chief. “And it is for such a great cause.”
