Biked
Across the Country, What's Next?
Mark is biking from
Vancouver to San Diego Summer 2010, hopes he can convince Kristen to come!
Total Money Raised:
$6,775
Where
the money will go?
Donated to Gulu High School in Uganda to provide Student Scholarships
Current
Events:
Kristen spoke to elementary kids in southern California about her biking
trip. Mark is giving a presentation on 12/11 to St. Jane
de Chantal!
Biked Across America Summer 2009
Kristen
and Mark completed their 4,400 miles journey on two thin wheels, while
pulling 40 pounds of gear across the country on August 18th 2009! This
83-day journey would not have been possible without all the sponsors and
undivided support they received throughout the entire fundraising and
biking process towards their Buy a Mile Teach Child
fundraising campaign!
Kristen and Mark feel their Buy a Mile Teach a
Child campaign was a huge success! Buy a Mile Teach
a Child fundraising campaign works by having a sponsor
donate $3 miles for every mile they cycled. A sponsor could have bought as
little or as many miles they wanted to support Mark and Kristen.
The
most important goal of the Buy a Mile Teach a
Child campaign was spreading awareness about the atrocities
occurring to children in northern Uganda. They accomplished this goal by
informing everyone they met along the road about the Invisible
Children Organization. The hundreds of people they met had different
outlooks on life, different political views, differences in international
agendas, and all came from different walks in life. However, the one thing
everyone had in common was a warm, caring, and welcoming heart! The people
they met were excited to witness Mark and Kristen's passion and
mission in helping children in Uganda receive an adequate education and
help put an end to the civil war. The successful completion of Mark and
Kristen's trip would have been difficult if it wasn’t for their new
friends who provided us with shelter, food, words of wisdom, money for our
next meal, and good company!
How
much Mark and Kristen ended up raising?
They began fundraising in the beginning of April, we were able to raise $6,775 dollars that will be given to Gulu High School in northern Uganda. The money will be distributed towards providing student scholarships to the students who need financial assistance in order to succeed in school.
Kristen has spoken at a elementary school where her brother works. She felt a strong connection with the students. The students showed a lot of interest in their cause. Mark is presenting on 12/11 at St. Jane de Chantal School in Chicago, where he will be sharing his story to students K-8th grade. He has spoken to a few high schools around the Chicago-land area and is in the process of coordinating dates to present.
Fundraising for Invisible Children Schools For School is Still Going On!
The 2009 Schools For Schools Program is a fundraising campaign presented by Invisible Children. It's a national fundraising campaign where schools in America help out 10 schools that been damaged by the 23 year civil-war in northern Uganda. Any school can participate! The unique thing is empowering the youth! So, the youth comes up with innovative ways of raising money for the schools! Currently, there are 1,575 schools registered and they cumulatively raised $363,231.23 that will be distributed to the 10 schools in northern Uganda so Ugandan children learn the tools and develop the skills to emerge as leaders of their country.
For
More Information about Schools For Schools Program check out IC website
at: http://s4s.invisiblechildren.
Life Off The Bike............
Mark and Kristen both agree they miss riding a bike for eight hours a day not knowing what stories lie ahead of us or where they'll pitch a tent for the night! Life was brought down only to the necessities (food, shelter, shower). At the moment, Mark is working at Hyatt Hotel in Chicago, pursuing his career in the hospitality industry. His passion is bike-touring. He plans on moving to San Diego and opening his own bike-touring outfitter. Mark is biking from Vancouver to San Diego in middle of May 2010. He plans on Biking 4 Invisible Children and have the Buy a Mile Teach a Child campaign be even bigger this time!
Kristen
moved to Lake Tahoe in California and is living the dream of being a ski
instructor for little kids. She is able to shred the mountain every day
and loving every moment!
This summer was a growing and learning experience for both Mark and
Kristen! They learned a lot about the opposite sex, each other, and
themselves. Most importantly, they found out that majority of people are
caring and willing to help their neighbors or complete strangers. That
most people want peace and the freedom to pursue their passions and
dreams.
Key
Message of This Entire Trip......
"You
have to have three ingredients in order to be successful in anything you
do in life. You must be passionate, motivated, and determined. Once you
have all three of these ingredients working in harmony you will see
RESULTS!"
THANKS
FOR EVERYONE'S SUPPORT!
Mapped Route
The 4,262-mile Trans-American route begins in Astoria, Oregon, a rural town on the Pacific coast. Kristen and Mark will venture over the challenging Rocky Mountain terrain, into the Great Plains, across the rugged Appalachian Mountains, and finish on the Atlantic coast in Yorktown, Virginia. The trip will take approximately 12 weeks, at an average of 65 miles per day. The route will be journeyed unsupported, meaning that the bikers will carry all equipment and food on their backs.
Kristen and Mark Celebrating at the Finish in the Atlantic Ocean
Support Mark and Kristen’s Buy a Mile Teach a Child Campaign
"You Can Make a Difference"
