A heartfelt salute to Marty Perlmutter, 61, who on Father’s Day embarked on a 1,400-mile bike journey to honor his best friend, Roy Gross, who lost his battle with multiple myeloma earlier this year.

The 17-day bike trip is being done to raise funds for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

By the time you read this, Perlmutter, who is from Miami will have covered 750 miles of the trip and will be on his eighth day on the road.

Perlmutter called his friend everyday while he was in the hospital and thought of what he could to make a difference in the lives of myeloma patients. He knew he wanted to do something big, and decided to plan an epic cycling trip from Jacksonville to Kittery, Me.

When Gross died on March 9, he left instructions for friends and family to donate to Perlmutter’s ride for the MMRF. When Perlmutter learned of his friend’s wish, he was more committed than ever to carry through with his plans, said Alicia O’Neill of MMRF’s Endurance Events Program.

"This guy is no spring chicken and is doing an amazing feat," O’Neill said. "I thought it was pretty inspiring."

Perlmutter has set a goal to raise $20,000 dollars and has a web page and blog for those interested in donating to this worthy cause. He said the MMF is helping him with connections along the route, because he wants to do the entire trip on a shoestring budget.

To make a donation, you can find Perlmutter at 2012rideforcancer.blogspot.com. His web page is www.active.com/donate/2012mmrfYOR/MartyCure. Your Miami friends want to thank you for what you are doing, Marty. We wish you Godspeed.

Boys & Girls Clubs

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will close its Official Miami Marlins Charity Partner Weekend with a Family Day to begin at 1:10 p.m. today with the Marlins in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Park.

The day will include a high-end kid giveaway; pre-game entertainment with Radio Disney on the West Plaza and Diamond Dash following the game.

Baseline reserved tickets are $20 each and seating is based on availability and are available online only. To purchase tickets (regularly $35 each) visit www.marlins.com/kids. For groups of 20 or more, send an email to: groups@marlins.com, or call 877-MARLINS.

Ahbria Marshall, 18, of the Northwest Club, will throw out the first pitch for the Saturday game. Marshall was in the top four of Florida Youth of the Year, and has been a Boys and Girls Clubs member since she was in the second grade.

An active Girl Scout, Marshall helped launch the Cultural Arts Program at the Northwest club and was active in the afterschool enrichment program. She is a member of the 4-H Club, which helps to bring awareness of health, fitness, nutrition and the upkeep of animals and plants at the club.

She graduated magna cum laude in the class of 2012 from Miami Northwestern Senior High School and will attend Florida International University in the fall. Her goal is to become a newscaster.

Elizabeth Elias, 12, a Boys and Girls Club alumna, sang the national anthem at the game. She has appeared in television commercials, danced for the Miami Heat Jr. Jam and the Florida Marlins Minnows, and has performed in the musicals 13 and Seussical. She has also made a guest appearance on the Spanish soap opera E l Rostro de Analia.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade has served youth in the community since 1940. It started with a single building and site for boys, and has grown to five locations serving 10,000 boys and girls year round. It provides programs in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, cultural arts and sports, fitness and recreation.