Rally for Recovery: Team zMotion to Raise Funds for Teenage Beating Victim, Josie Lou Ratley

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- In a show of continued support, hundreds of South Florida community members are expected to "rally for recovery" this weekend. They're riding to raise funds for teenage beating victim Josie Lou Ratley on Sunday, June 27th in "Let's Break the Cycle…A Ride for Josie." The charity bike ride kicks off at 7:30 a.m. at The Cove Restaurant in Deerfield Beach, with all money going to pay for Josie's medical care and rehabilitation in the coming months.

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15-year-old Josie was severely beaten by a teenage boy March 17th at a Deerfield Middle School bus stop. She spent six weeks at Broward General Medical center, much of that time in a medically induced coma. Though she was recently released from rehabilitation, the months ahead are going to be extremely difficult for Josie, and financially overwhelming for her family.

Zimmerman Advertising's zMotion is one of several community organizations riding to raise funds for Josie and her family in this weekend's event.

"Josie needs our help on her road to recovery," said Pat Patregnani, agency President and founder of zMotion. "But it's not just about assisting with the financial burden, it's about calling attention to the teen violence issues in our community and across the country. Josie's beating underscores the real severity of the problem."

Cyclists participating in "Let's Break the Cycle…A Ride for Josie" will have the choice of either a 33- or 65-mile course. Additional fundraisers on-site include prize raffles and a bike wash after the ride, hosted by Josie's classmates. There will also be a post ride celebration at The Cove Restaurant, with food, drinks and music.

"I can only imagine how this tragic turn of events has affected the Ratley family," added Patregnani. "zMotion is proud to partner with the community to raise awareness about Josie's recovery and show our unconditional support of the cause."

ABOUT ZMOTION

zMotion is a Zimmerman Advertising Team.  zMotion has become a visible force in the cycling community with over 600 riding members throughout South Florida.  We ride to raise money in the fight against MS.  We ride to live healthy and enjoy life.  We ride because we care.  And we ride because we can.  We are blessed with good health and the freedom to enjoy this great sport.  For more information, visit zMotion.org.

ABOUT ZIMMERMAN ADVERTISING

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Zimmerman Advertising, an Omnicom Group™ company, is the country's leading national retail brand builder, and the 14th largest advertising agency in the United States according to Adweek, with more than 1,100 full-time associates and offices throughout the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta. For information on the agency, visit zadv.com.  To learn more about Jordan Zimmerman, his business philosophies and opinions, visit his blogspot: http://www.yousleepwhenyoudie.com/.

SOURCE Zimmerman Advertising