College charity cyclists pass through Libby
A group of recent college graduates are biking coast-to-coast to raise money for a needy African nation.
While passing through Libby, the group of 22 -year-olds stayed Monday night at Christ Lutheran Church. Earlier in the day, Jan McGarry, church secretary, received a call from the bikers asking to sleep at the church.
“We have helped bikers before that have done stuff like this,” McGarry said. “They seemed like a nice group of guys. They were happy with what they were doing, and they were content with the facility.”
According to McGarry, the church will likely host the Ride for Water bikers again next year.
This is the second annual Ride for Water Campaign that graduates from Azusa Pacific University have conducted to raise money for Charity: Water, a non-profit organization. All public donations pay for water projects while private donors cover the operating costs for the bikers.
The journey began in Seattle, Wash. and will end in New York City, which means the bikers will travel 30,100 miles on their road bikes. The bikers travel an average of 75-100 miles a day, and stay in churches or host homes along the way.
Charity: Water was founded as a result of the global water crisis. Many underdeveloped countries do not have access to humanity’s most essential resource, resulting in 4,100 children dying each day from water-related diseases, according to the organization.
“We really care about getting clean water to these people,” biker Sam Vaudrey said. “We are not particularly serious dudes, but this is a serious problem.”
The group is inspired by last year’s success of raising more than $40,000. This year they raised the stakes with a goal of $50,000 to provide clean water access in Rwanda. So far, they have raised $12,000 from Washington and Idaho. The group will eventually travel through 13 states.
“Meeting people and seeing how loving and hospitable everyone is, it’s just amazing,” biker Jordan Ruffin said. “Sometimes people ask if they can donate to us. It’s really neat.”
To learn more about the campaign, check out their website at www.rideforwater.us.