Pedaling To Help Those With Cancer

Two new volunteers in the kitchen add their handprints to the wall.

Here we go with neighbors reaching neighbors beyond their front doors. It happens in Cleveland when people are in need. And there is no other time when families are more in need than when a member gets a diagnosis of cancer.

VILLAGE PROJECT of Cleveland reaches out to the individual, family, and community affected. One of their events, that was being held for the third year, is Project Pedal, which was officially celebrated on Saturday, June 18. This event is Village Project's largest fundraiser.



If you remember back to that day in the Cleveland area, you would remember that the day was absolutely perfect, with the temperature at 78 degrees, low humidity, and sunshine. I have always thought about warmer weather in terms of the ten perfect days of the year, and that was certainly one of them.

On that day 300 bike riders started pedaling out of the Bay Middle School parking lot. All of them had on green Project Pedal t-shirts, with a balloon tied onto the bumper. There were all different types of bikes -racers, tandem, cruiser-types, even a few towing a child in a carrier.  Two- and three-year-old tots, pedaling away on their big wheels and tricycles ran the Pea Pod Pedal. The more adventurous took on the 35-mile Artichoke Adventure. Those with less stamina could take on the 6-mile Cucumber Course or could even be up for the 15-mile Kale Trail. No matter what course they took, or what age they were, the crowd went wild for each group.

There were other events on the side, requiring the generosity of about 75 volunteers. They were there to make sure that sponsorship booths, craft tables, photo booths, food stands, and game stations all had sufficient amount of staff to serve the crowd. Even the performance stage had volunteers to keep the music flowing. This is where the community spirit came out, with people of all different ages working together to provide a wonderful experience for everyone there.

Best of all were all of those who stopped by the Village Project table to learn about the work of the organization and about this annual event. Every year, many of those who visit this table end up volunteering their time or contribute monetary donations.

There were even a few of those who had been, or were still being served, in attendance. Some decided to publicize their recipient status, but others just quietly participated. Many had smiles on their faces.

Scenes from Project Pedal.

Now for the big reveal: ta dah! Project Pedal raised $37,000 this year! That means that the original two cooking days per week could be raised to four per week. Village Project provides three meals per day to everyone in the family of a person affected by cancer in particular neighborhoods. The meals are cooked by high school students under the supervision of adult cooks, so now there will be openings for more students and adult supervisors.

Balloons are gathered for the construction of a balloon arch.

Village Project is already thinking ahead to next year's event. They are always open to participants, riders, guests, and sponsors. So, make plans now, so you can make sure you're ready.

Thanks for information from this article by Barb Harrell on the Village Project blog: http://ourvillageproject.com/2016/06/project-pedal-2016-a-community-connected/; and the above link.

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