Jeanne Thompson resolved to use her Self-Expression and Leadership program to raise money for an organization that reconnects homeless people to their community. In so doing, she created the Pedal for Pads Bikeathon and raised about $10,000 for an extremely worthy organization. The Daily Herald of Suburban Chicago wrote a story about the July 12 event in McHenry, IL, which included music and a barbecue.
Pedal for PADS Bikeathon to Benefit the Homeless
June 18, 2008
Imagine not having the warm, safe haven most of us take for granted and call home. Spending your days wandering and wondering. How am I going to get myself out of this situation?
Enter McHenry County PADS, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to reconnect homeless men, women, and children with the community by providing emergency, transitional, and preventive services and to raise public understanding regarding homelessness in McHenry County.
Because of this ever-increasing dilemma and ever- increasing need for funds to run an operation like PADS, a group of individuals have teamed together and created the first annual “Pedal for PADS” Bike-a-thon with the intention of reaching their fundraising goal of $20,000. In addition to the bike ride, there will be live music, a silent auction, raffles, bingo, barbecue, and fun. The event will take place Saturday, July 12 at Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry.
The bike-a-thon has been designed to attract all levels of riders, from serious to novice. Three road routes, 21, 39 and 60 miles, have been mapped out and will be fully supported with rest stops, emergency vehicle, cue sheets and maps. For the novice riders, there are up to 10 miles of paved and limestone trails within Moraine Hills State Park.
It is suggested that participants raise $150 in pledges, which has been made simple with online donations via the registration site (go to www.mchenrycounty pads.com and select “Pedal for PADS” under the Events tab). A T-shirt and barbecue lunch will be included for those reaching this goal.
For details and to register or volunteer for Pedal for PADS, visit www.mchenrycountypads.com and select “Pedal for PADS” under the Events tab, or call Jeanne Thomson at (224) 558-8637.
Feel free to also see this story at the Daily Herald website.
