Residents from Garden City, including Brooks Johnson, Massapequa and Farmingdale will join the fight against cancer by riding in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC), the nation's most successful charity cycling event, on Aug. 2-3.

Epitomizing all that can be accomplished when individuals work as a unified force, they will join the 3,800 PMC cyclists riding to raise $16 million for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund - crucial funds that are making a difference in the lives of cancer patients around the world. Their collective goal is to pedal past $10 million raised and contributed to the Jimmy Fund in the PMC's 24-year history.

The PMC, presented by the Boston Red Sox, contributes more money to charity than any other athletic fundraising event in the nation. It is also the most efficient - 92 percent of every dollar raised by PMC cyclists goes directly to the Jimmy Fund.

"Everyone has a connection to cancer in some way," Billy Starr, PMC founder and executive director, said. "Thousands of cyclists have found the PMC is the best way to combine their love for cycling with their desire to make a difference and help others."

Today, cyclists come from 40 states to participate in the one- or two-day event. They choose between six different routes, ranging in mileage from 89 to 192, and travel through 46 bucolic towns en route to the Wellesley and Provincetown finish lines.

To become a volunteer, a virtual rider or make a financial contribution to a rider from your town, visit www.pmc.org or call 1-800-WE-CYCLE. Checks can be made payable to PMC, 77 Fourth Avenue, Needham, MA 02494.

The Hagedorn Little Village School Jack Joel Center for Special Children recently held its 12th annual golf classic at Tam O'Shanter Club in Brookville. The event was sold out, with individuals, including Garden City Village Trustee John Watras, chairman of the Hagedorn Little Village Development Committee, and foursomes competing for prizes, attending a golf clinic and thoroughly enjoying a rare sunny June day on the links.

Co-chairpersons Joseph Finnerty and James Soehner announced that, thanks to the hard work of Little Village's Clara Gewirtz and Maureen McElwreath and the entire committee, this event was the most successful in years. Monies raised will be used to enhance programs and purchase equipment at the school.

Extorted by volunteer auctioneer Scott Miller of Woodbury, the dinner crowd enthusiastically participated in the live auction of over 30 offerings, including a week at Palm Beach Resort & Beach Club with two JetBlue roundtrip tickets, use of a Diamond View Suite at Shea Stadium (15 seats) plus VIP parking for the Mets versus the Brewers, two tickets to the New York Philharmonic plus a two-night stay at the Roosevelt Hotel and many golfing opportunities at local clubs.

Dr. Caryl Bank and Dr. Barbara Feingold, co-executive directors of The Hagedorn Little Village School, were on hand to welcome the golfers and to host the dinner.

The Garden City Athletic Club is proud to announce the formation of the Garden City non-contact Tag Rugby program for Garden City residents. Sign-up for the program will be held at Garden City Community Park July 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (rain or shine).

During that time period the New York Rugby Club will hold a rugby clinic for those interested. The program will continue every Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Community Park from July 14 through Aug. 6. The cost will be $25 per applicant and will include participation in all nine sessions. You may join at any time during this time period or you may join by completing an application, which may be obtained in the recreation office at village hall or in Cluett Hall at St. Paul's.

All participants are asked to wear a T-shirt, shorts and rubber cleats, although sneakers will be acceptable. Waistband tags will be provided. Participation will be limited to the 7 to 15 year age groups although any high school-aged or college-aged individual is certainly welcome to come and help with the program. Any person aged 16 years and older with any rugby experience is asked to volunteer to help make the program a success. For more information call Charles Deverna at 739-0054 or Tony Colantonio at 248-8525.

The Garden City Athletic Club, in cooperation with USA Hockey, is proud to announce the formation of the Garden City Roller Hockey program for Garden City residents aged 5 and older. Sign up for the summer and fall programs will be held at the Garden City Community Park July 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (rain or shine).

The summer program and practices and scrimmages will be held at Community Park from Aug. 11 through Aug. 29 and intramural play will begin in the fall. You may join at any time during this time period or you may join now by completing an application, which may be obtained in the recreation office at village hall or in Cluett Hall at St. Paul's.

For those who are also interested in becoming a referee and/or coach or for more information, call Joe Rocco at 326-9688 or Tony Colantonio at 248-8525.