Bikes 4 Books 2013!!!

Hello, Generous and Caring People!

This Memorial Weekend (May 24-27), I will be slightly straying from a long-held tradition of drinking beer while wrapped in an American Flag in order to participate in a long distance bike ride and fundraiser from Detroit to Chicago called Bikes 4 Books.

B4B is a fundraiser to benefit Pangea Educational Development, a group dedicated to improving education in communities throughout Uganda in a sustainable, self-empowering way that puts the future of a community's school back in the hands of that very community. Over our 4 day, 300 mile, bike adventure, almost two dozen riders and myself will be sweating, pedaling, and pushing ourselves in hopes of raising awareness for PED, but more importantly, earning pledges from wonderful individuals like yourself.


These pledges will go on to support projects at schools aimed at helping Uganda's schools create their own sustainable income and free themselves from a loop of never ending aid. The main project PED will be focusing on this year is a dormitory at Awach Secondary School. Awach, a school located about 26 kilometers outside of Gulu, is a rural school that is still in the process of recovering from the damage incurred from the 20 years of civil war that were fought on their very grounds. Now back and rebuilding, many students still live about 5-10km from school and are forced to walk long, dark, and sometimes dangerous distances to get to school. Even worse, the distance is sometimes so far that some are forced to stop attending classes all together. The proposed dormitory will provide a safe and close place for students to live during the school week and insure they will be able to more spend time energized and ready to study and less time tired and unable to focus due to long commutes.


With B4B's efforts we hope to help PED get this built this summer. So want to help? Well, here are two great ways you can help contribute to PED, B4B, and my efforts:


1. Pledges: Make a pledge to my ride and help me reach my goal of $1000. Even something as small as $10 can help me get closer to completion.


And don't forget! Your generous contributions are tax-deductible thanks to PED's nonprofit organization 501(c)3 status; their EIN number is 274001293.


2. Spread the word: Connect with B4B on facebook and twitter and share the message! Also, feel free to forward this message on to other family members, friends, or coworkers you think might be interested. All are welcome to help B4B and PED have a great result.


Facebook.com/bikes4books | @bikes4books |[email redacted]


So please, let me earn your support! Each mile I ride and each penny you donate helps PED bring communities together and change education for the better. Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity!


Thanks!


Steve