A Long Ride for March of Dimes

An all-day ride for a cause is what 38-year-old Assistant Manager of Wal-Mart Matt Garcia did on his day off Monday, riding 100 miles promoting awareness and fundraising for the March of Dimes.

So far Garcia has raised nearly $1000 and the donations and pledges are still coming in.  This is the second year Garcia has ridden for the March of Dimes, last year raising nearly $1500 and expecting this year to be even better.

His trek started at 8:00am in Paint Rock, to Valera, through Coleman, Santa Anna, Bangs and then into Brownwood, ending his tour at about 3:40pm in the Wal-Mart parking lot greeted by friends, coworkers and supporters. Garcia stated that his ride took a little longer than expected due to headwinds.

One of his friends posted on Facebook about his ride and stated, “All of his friends and associates are very proud of his contribution to this great cause.”

Another friend and Garcia have often done charity rides in the past, even adventure racing, which has prepared him for a ride like this.  Garcia stated that the Monday ride was good with no difficulties.

“I didn’t have any problems along the way, today I just came to survive it,” said Garcia.

His friend Jamie Hansen followed Garcia along the route for safety and support, taking pictures along the way.

Earlier in the day radio station KOXE 101.3 interviewed him about the ride and he said along the route, people waved and honked at him which made a difference for him knowing he had such support in the station’s listening area.  Once at the end, Garcia was greeted by friend holding signs and cheering at the entrance by Murphy USA and near the store entrance.

Garcia is a graduate of both Ballinger High School and Angelo State University, married and is the father of three.  He came to Brownwood as the assistant manager of Wal-Mart about a year and a half ago.

He stated that Wal-Mart supports several charities as a company but the Brownwood Store has taken a particular interest in supporting the March of Dimes because of a previous manager, Sam Ruiz, whose 7-year-old daughter passed away at the age of 7.

The March of Dimes helps moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies.  According to their website,