Photo courtesy Mary Thompson Hunt.
Almost everyone who has ever visited Walt Disney World probably has
at least one story to tell about a cast member (Disney employee) who did
something that created a magical experience beyond what was expected.
Whether the cast member did something large or something small, Disney
encourages taking the time to create a magical moment for a guest. There
is even an organization dedicated to recognizing outstanding cast members.
Visitors can order a “What Would Walt Do” pin to present to
any cast member who is deemed worthy by that guest. Since the program
began, more than 500 cast members have been recognized, including the
subject of this article.
Mary Thompson Hunt works as an entertainer-improviser at the Comedy
Warehouse in Pleasure Island. A cast member with Disney since December
of 1990, Mary was hired directly into the Comedy Warehouse cast when it
switched to an improv format and is a favorite of many visitors to the
club. She’s also the female voice guests hear on the taped announcements
in Epcot.
In addition, she has conducted many celebrity interviews, worked at the
annual SuperSoap events, entertained at numerous conventions and has worked
in television shows, commercials and a movie. Mary can be counted on for
a consistently excellent performance regardless of her location or role,
but this article focuses on what she does outside of work on her own time.
Mary Thompson Hunt onstage at the Comedy Warehouse. Photo by Sue Holland.
On Monday, August 18, she begins a bicycle trip in Niagara Falls, New
York, and will ride 500 miles during the next six days until she reaches
Manhattan — not for a vacation, but to help raise money for treatment,
intervention and advocacy work for people with HIV/AIDS.
The Empire State AIDS Ride is limited to 500 riders, and each participant
must raise $3,200 or more in donations in order to be eligible to ride.
In order to ensure that 100 percent of the money raised goes to the four
nonprofit beneficiaries, each rider also pays a fee that covers the expenses
of the ride (such as tents, meals, and road support).
One particularly memorable man was in his 50s, and rode with two prosthetic
legs since losing his real ones in a hit-and-run accident a couple of
years prior to the 2001 ride.
The Empire State AIDS Ride route was selected to follow many beautiful
back roads. Participants will be riding over paved sections of the Erie
Canal, through the wine country of the Finger Lakes, around the foothills
of the Catskills, down the Hudson Valley and into Manhattan, ending at
Battery Park. This is the longest AIDS ride, with the highest donation
requirement and the most hills to cover. At one point, riders will have
a three-mile uphill ride, with a reward of the next nine miles being downhill!
At 125 miles, the first day of the ride is the longest, while days with
lots of hills are generally kept to 60 miles because of the increased
difficulty.
This will be Mary’s first Empire State AIDS Ride, but she’s no stranger
to pedaling for a cause. In 2001, she completed her fourth AIDS ride,
the 350-mile Washington, D.C. AIDS Ride, which began in Raleigh, North
Carolina, and ended in Washington, D.C. on the lawn of the Mall. Her fellow
riders ranged in age from 18 to 76 and came in all sizes and fitness levels.
One particularly memorable man was in his 50s, and rode the with two
prosthetic legs since losing his real ones in a hit-and-run accident a
couple of years prior to the 2001 ride. Every rider has a story to share,
and, during this ride, Mary met a young woman who rode to honor her father
— a regular ride participant until his sudden death. Most participants
ride to honor or help people they know who are either living with HIV
or have lost their lives to AIDS, but anyone can participate.
Mary and fellow Comedy Warehouse cast member Bruce Bowes ride the final
mile into Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy Mary Thompson Hunt.
How does a person decide to ride a bicycle hundreds of miles? In Mary’s
case, one day she started counting the friends she had lost to AIDS and
had to stop when the number climbed too high almost immediately. At a
meeting for people interested in working as crew for the Orlando to Miami
AIDS Ride she watched videotape that showed a woman in her 60s talking
about why she does the ride each year. Mary decided then that if that
woman could ride, so could she. Her first training ride covered six miles,
and, in her words, “it just about killed me.” Quitting was never
an option she considered — instead, she kept riding a little farther
each time, and, this past Easter, rode 80 miles by herself!
Part of the reason for her late finish was that she hid from their
van so they would not force her out of the race!
Mary has done the Orlando to Miami AIDS Ride three times, and, on her
first time, she was the last of the 800 riders to finish. She had problems
with flat tires, got lost and was so late that ride organizers set out
looking for her to give her a ride to the end. She refused the ride, and
insisted she be allowed to pedal to the finish line. Part of the reason
for her late finish was that she hid from their van so they would not
force her out of the race! She lost time hiding behind things until the
van passed. Completing that first ride on her own was a huge accomplishment!
A large group from Pleasure Island Entertainment rode from Orlando to
Miami. Photo courtesy Mary Thompson Hunt.
While the riders might look very different from each other, they have
in common the enormous amount of work needed to get into good physical
shape for the ride. Each rider goes at his or her own pace, and can opt
to ride in a van if the cycling becomes too much. Age is not a factor
if the rider has trained properly. In Mary’s case, she either rides several
miles (20-80) or works out with weights, on a treadmill and in a spin
class six days a week. Training requires a good deal of sacrifice, but
one she’s willing to make, because of the importance of it. Outside work
opportunities, social events — they all take a backseat while she
is training.
Clermont, Florida — where Mary trains on hills. Photo courtesy Mary
Thompson Hunt.
In 2001, there were supposed to be three others riding with Mary in the
Washington, D.C. AIDS Ride, but two were injured when a truck sideswiped
them while they were on their bikes. The truck fled the scene. The accident
seriously hurt one, but both dropped out of the ride. It was difficult
for Mary to get back on a bike after that, especially since sharing the
road with cars was already a nerve-wracking experience, but she did it
and went on to complete that 350-mile ride.
…[B]ut two were injured when a truck sideswiped them while they
were on their bikes. The truck fled the scene.
Mary initially signed up to do an AIDS Ride because she wanted to do
something to help others. She’s found, though, that she never realized
what she’d be gaining from the experience. Riders come from all walks
of life (the average age for this ride so far is 48), united by a love
of cycling and a desire to do something for other people. Time after time
perfect strangers helped her out, whether it involved paying for a bottle
of Gatorade when the store wouldn’t take her debit card, or riders stopping
to give her an extra tube when her tire went flat. The rides seem to bring
out the best in people — very rewarding!
Raising $3,200 in donations can be intimidating, particularly since Mary’s
previous rides only required $1,250 to $1,500. She spread the word to
friends and co-workers, which got the ball rolling. A stranger she met
on her 80-mile Easter training ride became the first person to donate
through the Web site for the Empire State AIDS Ride.
Being an entertainer with many talented friends, Mary might organize
a show to raise funds for the ride — while providing a great time
to people attending. At press time, the details were not yet available,
but the tentative lineup of local talent is impressive. It’s a safe bet
I will make a trip to Orlando for the show, as it’s not something I would
miss!
During the ride itself, on Friday, August 22, current and former Comedy
Warehouse performers will entertain the riders with an improv show at
the Hudson Estate. From there, riders will have another 60 miles to go
the next day, ending at Battery Park. The race needs a sound system at
the Hudson Estate, so if anyone in that area has one to donate for the
night, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with Mary.
Flags are carried at the end of an Orlando to Miami AIDS Ride. Photo courtesy
Mary Thompson Hunt.
During the next five to six weeks, if any Orlando locals are interested
in riding with Mary, let me know. Due to her late nights at the Comedy
Warehouse, she begins riding around 11 a.m., which is when most riders
are finishing. It’s not necessary to commit to an 80-mile ride —
just ride as far as you’re comfortable going.
Recently Jose Santos, a fellow cast member at the Comedy Warehouse, began
riding with Mary to help her train. He is a veteran of 150-mile rides
to benefit multiple sclerosis and is hoping to register for the Empire
State AIDS Ride. The biggest obstacle is money, since between he and Mary
they must raise $6,400 in donations plus cover all of their expenses (registration
fee, travel to and from New York, six days worth of cycling gear and supplies).
Both he and Mary are excited at the prospect of doing the ride together,
and are optimistic that Jose will be officially registered before too
long.
Anyone wanting to make a donation or learn more about the ride can check
the official Web site at Empire State Aids Ride (link).
From the home page, there is a link to find a rider, so simply enter either
“Hunt” in the last name field and Mary’s page should appear,
or “Santos” for Jose’s page. If you cannot find him, get in
touch with me and I can update you on his status. Once the ride begins
the Web site will be updated daily with information on that day’s route,
events and photos.
In September, I’ll have a follow-up article to report on Mary’s experiences
in the 2003 Empire State AIDS Ride. In the meantime, if you see her at
the Comedy Warehouse or cycling on the streets of Orlando, stop a moment
to give her some encouragement. I am sure she will have a successful ride,
and I am impressed with her dedication to the cause and desire to make
a difference for people with HIV/AIDS and the people who know and love
them.
Mary’s letter to everyone at her page at the Empire State AIDS Ride Web
site:
Hi Everyone,
This year’s ride will be my greatest cycling challenge to date. 500
miles of road and hills from Niagara Falls to Manhattan. The good news
is… 100% of your donations will go to the four organizations producing
this ride. We riders are covering our own food and lodging costs so
that all contributions collected goes to good use.
There is information on this site if you think you may wish to participate
in riding or crewing. Or pehaps being in Manhattan on the day we all
ride in. It would be awesome to see the faces of loved ones during and
after the ride.
I ride for those I love who are living with HIV and AIDS. I’m riding
for those I don’t know with AIDS. I’m riding so you can have a way to
help by sponsoring me with a donation.
I’d like to see a cure for AIDS in my life. I’d like to see more education
about HIV and AIDS. I’d like to see medical attention and housing made
available to those in need because of AIDS. I’d like not one more person
to have to suffer because of AIDS.
Don’t know that any of that will or can happen but this ride is one
small way I can contribute to that dream. Thank you again for all your
support.
Much Love, Mary
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