Merry Christmas! Santa brought the Trek 520 Touring Bike for Jack along with many other goodies to help get us ready for our trip! The 520 is a "mean, lean, pedaling machine!" It's the first bike Trek ever made, and its classic built provides both comfort and durability. The bike is made for adventure with gearing, brakes, and wide touring tires, all to handle carrying a heavy load through the flat plains, rolling hills, and mountains.....We get more excited each day!
Got our fundraising page up today! As we mentioned in our first post, we want our adventure to count for something special, so we will be raising funds for the Special Olympics of Lancaster County, PA. Though the power of sports, the Special Olympics strive to create a better world for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Here in Lancaster County, this all volunteer organization provides year-round athletic training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for over 300 children and adults. The Special Olympics provide continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships. I'm inspired by their motto--"I want to win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt!" Students at the University of Miami were asked to describe what Special Olympics means to them in 3 words . . . (click here for their video) Their responses included: "passion," "courage," "inspirational," "motivational," "never give up," "overcome all obstacles," and "you inspire me!" My husband, John and I got involved with this great organization 22 years ago when we moved to Lancaster County. I love the athletes, the volunteers, and the sports they are involved with. Jack and I are now hoping to further our support by reaching our fund raising goal of $5,000!
If you can, please support us by making a donation to this great organization. Click here for our Special Olympics Fund Raising Page This link will take you to a First Giving Fundraising site where donations can be made via credit card, and you will be provided with a receipt for your tax deductible donation. Your full donation will benefit the over 300 Special Olympic Athletes in Lancaster, PA. If you prefer you can mail a check directly to:Special Olympics Lancaster County
P.O. Box 7442
Lancaster, PA 17604-7442
(Please put "pedalingC2shiningC" in the memo line of your check so we can Thank-you!)
Some folks have asked "how" we will be fund raising and if they are pledging so much per mile . . . ALL donations are very much appreciated. . . But if you prefer to have a pledge in terms of our goals, here are a few :)
$ / mile (we will travel 4,022 miles - yikes!)
$/ days of pedaling (we will pedal 53 days!)
$ / state (we will travel through 16 states, OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, SD, MN, WI, IA, IL, IN, OH, WV, PA, MD, DE)
$ / great river crossings (we will cross 6 major rivers, Columbia, Snake, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Susquehanna)
$ / State Park Campgrounds (we will sleep at 17 State Parks)
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!!!
xo
Bonnie and Jack
