Carolina Pediatric Attention, Love and Support hosted its Miles for Smiles Funride and raised $1,000 for patients at the UNC Pediatric Cancer Center.
The Optimist Club, a youth service organization, organized the first part of the event, a bike safety rodeo, which promoted bicycle safety and provided an opportunity for children such as Mendes to lend a helping hand.
"I think it's sad that some kids have to deal with cancer, and me and my family are trying to support research to help save lives," Mendes said.
Residents from surrounding communities came to UNC's Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center to participate in the event.
CPALS president Leah Gilbert, a senior psychology major, said she hoped this year's Funride would attract more participants than last year's.
"Our biggest priority was advertising -- we really need to get out and spread the word more," she said.
This year the group posted fliers, contacted local bike clubs, sat in the Pit and informed area schools about the event. "Getting the community involved is what I like about the bike ride," Gilbert said.
About 100 people registered for the bike ride, and dozens of others came to support and volunteer their time. "We definitely had more people this year, probably double the amount," Gilbert said.
The event began with the kid's bike rodeo. Boys sported dark red, blue and black attire, while the girls brightened the cheerful atmosphere with their neon pink and purple helmets and bicycles.
