By DEBORAH GERTZ HUSAR

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

CARTHAGE, Ill. -- Jennifer Edholm remembers Madison and Wyatt Elliott as active kids always happy to be outside.

So improving the playground equipment at Carthage elementary school in their memory seems a fitting way to remember the siblings who died with their parents, Kevin and Tasha Elliott, in a February accident.

Edholm helped organize the Lake to Lake for Kids' Sake Memorial Bike Ride, slated for Saturday, May 24 near Carthage, in honor of the Elliotts.

"We've had a lot of support. The kids, parents, businesses really rallied behind us," Edholm said. "I'm surprised at how many bikers we have in the area."

All proceeds will go to the Wyatt and Madison Elliott Memorial Playground Project, an effort by the Carthage Elementary PTO to raise $5,000 to buy another piece of equipment for the playground.

Participants can choose the eight-mile "fun ride" route or the 32-mile Lake 2 Lake ride from Lake Linda in rural Carthage to Lake Argyle in rural Colchester. Edholm said riders have the option to "make it longer, make it shorter. It's kind of like a build your own ride."

"It's an opportunity for kids to help with the grieving process and do something in their memory," Edholm said. "For some kids and parents in the ride, it's a nice way to remember them."

Plans call for having the new playground equipment in place by the start of the school year in August. Edholm said family members of the Elliotts will be invited to attend the dedication.

Registration by May 9 costs $25 per person and includes a free T-shirt. Those who elect to register on the day of the ride can pay $22 per person, which does not include a shirt. Students under the age of 14 may only ride with adult supervision, and bike helmets are required.

A breakfast of juice, muffins and fruit will be available before the ride, which begins at 8 a.m. A stop at Lake Argyle will have drinks, fruit, granola bars, cookies and candy bars from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Water and cookies will be available at the park in Webster, with one additional stop along the way for water and shade.

A sag wagon will be available 8 a.m.-3 p.m. with supplies, food and drinks for bikers in need. After the ride, food will be available at Lake Linda until 3 p.m.

"People get quite a bit for the ride and get the memorial T-shirt," Edholm said. "It's something to remember the ride in memory of Madison and Wyatt."

-- dhusar@whig.com/221-3379