Help Our Students Impacted by COVID-19
Tax deductible
Together We Rise. Help Raise Money for Our Students in Need.
I will attempt to ride a bicycle repeatedly up one hill, without sleep, in a single activity, until I climb 29,029ft (the equivalent height of Mt Everest) to raise money for the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County.
I invite you to join me by donating to this cause. Due to Maryland’s executive order on social distancing and limiting large gatherings, the event date and climb location will not be announced because this is a solo effort. However, the effort will take place before June 15, 2020 on a climb that is about 0.98 mile with an average gradient of 13%. 100% of the funds will go to SHIP to tackle the challenges brought on by COVID-19, and its impact on the growing number of students and their families affected in the Frederick County community. You are welcome to donate a total amount to my ride effort, or you can commit to a dollar amount for every lap I complete. Post-ride, I'll send all donors a ride report so you know how much your contribution helped my effort —and collectively, the total funds raised that will impact students. ZERO percent of your money donated will go to my preparation for, or the act of Everesting. I'll take care of the muscle soreness, coffee, carbs, and gels so that we can give all for the kids. Everything we raise is 100% for the kids.
Your Impact on Student Needs: Safety, Wellness and Hope
On February 28, 2020 there were 919 Frederick County Public School (FCPS) students identified by Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) as having experienced homelessness during this school year. This number has grown exponentially since school closures on March 13, 2020. Over the last 10 weeks, SHIP has been working in partnership with school-based personnel to provide basic needs for students by harnessing school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and community liaisons to conduct outreach to check on student wellness and identify needs. Given the impact of COVID-19, SHIP needs resources and funding to meet the needs of the growing number of students affected in the Frederick County community. With your support, we can help to solve for the following:
1. Student mental health and safety, particularly for those who are unaccompanied.
2. Having basic essentials is a major concern (e.g. access to food, supplies, money, and safety). Due to school closures, there is uncertainty as to where children will receive regular nutrition.
3. Parents are out of work and are worried about being able to pay for rent and other necessities, causing stress among families.
4. Safety is a concern because homeless students and those living in homes with domestic violence are particularly at risk.
5. Many students relied on schools and school counselors for emotional support. People have lost regular contact with others due to the quarantine and loss of work. This event is inflicting trauma at a societal level.
Why Donate to SHIP of Frederick County?
Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County provides urgent resources and critical services to the hundreds of Frederick County youth experiencing homelessness each year. The non-profit has been a reliable and respected partner of Frederick County Public Schools and the Frederick County community since 2014 in helping the school children in our community through the complexities of poverty and homelessness. “The impact of poverty on academic achievement is well documented, and school systems across the nation grapple with this issue. One of the most dire circumstances related to poverty is the possibility of homelessness, which can create an even more devastating impact for students. The challenge of poverty and homelessness is not something a school system can resolve alone. In Frederick County, it is so reassuring to have an organization like SHIP that stands ready to offer support and solutions for our students and families.” --Theresa R. Alban // Ph.D. Superintendent // Frederick County Public Schools
About Sean’s Decision to Raise $$$ for the Students of Frederick County.
I used to be a teacher (9th grade, Social Studies) and I currently work in education at Teach For America. I believe that the health and wealth of any community is reflected in the collective wellbeing and achievement of your youth, regardless of their zip-code. I was hoping to participate in the Maryland Endurance Challenge (May 2020) to help with the above cause because it aligned with my desire to help students in our community. But then COVID-19 struck and it was cancelled. Additionally, our students in low income communities are being disproportionately affected by COVD-19. Given social distancing executive orders, I considered how I can use my talents and skills to help alleviate some challenges faced by our most affected students. Though we aren't allowed to volunteer in public settings, I figured that I can still ride alone, yet raise money for a cause. Since the cancellation of the Maryland Endurance Challenge, my training volume may have dropped but the spirit to make an impact for students is motivation enough to dig into the climbing pain cave again and and attempt to Everest (even if ill-prepared).* Given my time to prepare for the 24hr climbing event is brief (3-4 weeks), I'll be testing out some unconventional preparation strategies ranging from intermittent fasting, cutting out caffeine and sugar until the day of the attempt, engaging in lots of core strength work, reducing beer consumption, experimenting with modifications to my equipment, and subjecting myself to frequent-multi-60 min rides daily (to build endurance since I don't have time for prolonged training rides given home schooling, family, and work responsibilities given our new COVID-19 realities). As a bonus, this event is also going to be my ultimate fun, fundraising, extravaganza submission for Bikes & Beers Social Distancing Ride challenge.* And with you a long for the ride, the Everesting will be extra special. Thanks for your donation and helping this effort be a win-win-win on all fronts!
*My longest outdoor ride logged has been a 37 miler with 8,000 feet of elevation. A far cry from the more structured training I engaged in to prepare for my Everesting attempt in 2018 .
**Visit STRAVA to see my training exploits or INSTAGRAM to experience the antics of Everesting preparation. Learn more about Everesting
**Bikes & Beers Social Distancing Ride challenge
I will attempt to ride a bicycle repeatedly up one hill, without sleep, in a single activity, until I climb 29,029ft (the equivalent height of Mt Everest) to raise money for the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County.
I invite you to join me by donating to this cause. Due to Maryland’s executive order on social distancing and limiting large gatherings, the event date and climb location will not be announced because this is a solo effort. However, the effort will take place before June 15, 2020 on a climb that is about 0.98 mile with an average gradient of 13%. 100% of the funds will go to SHIP to tackle the challenges brought on by COVID-19, and its impact on the growing number of students and their families affected in the Frederick County community. You are welcome to donate a total amount to my ride effort, or you can commit to a dollar amount for every lap I complete. Post-ride, I'll send all donors a ride report so you know how much your contribution helped my effort —and collectively, the total funds raised that will impact students. ZERO percent of your money donated will go to my preparation for, or the act of Everesting. I'll take care of the muscle soreness, coffee, carbs, and gels so that we can give all for the kids. Everything we raise is 100% for the kids.
Your Impact on Student Needs: Safety, Wellness and Hope
On February 28, 2020 there were 919 Frederick County Public School (FCPS) students identified by Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) as having experienced homelessness during this school year. This number has grown exponentially since school closures on March 13, 2020. Over the last 10 weeks, SHIP has been working in partnership with school-based personnel to provide basic needs for students by harnessing school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and community liaisons to conduct outreach to check on student wellness and identify needs. Given the impact of COVID-19, SHIP needs resources and funding to meet the needs of the growing number of students affected in the Frederick County community. With your support, we can help to solve for the following:
1. Student mental health and safety, particularly for those who are unaccompanied.
2. Having basic essentials is a major concern (e.g. access to food, supplies, money, and safety). Due to school closures, there is uncertainty as to where children will receive regular nutrition.
3. Parents are out of work and are worried about being able to pay for rent and other necessities, causing stress among families.
4. Safety is a concern because homeless students and those living in homes with domestic violence are particularly at risk.
5. Many students relied on schools and school counselors for emotional support. People have lost regular contact with others due to the quarantine and loss of work. This event is inflicting trauma at a societal level.
Why Donate to SHIP of Frederick County?
Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County provides urgent resources and critical services to the hundreds of Frederick County youth experiencing homelessness each year. The non-profit has been a reliable and respected partner of Frederick County Public Schools and the Frederick County community since 2014 in helping the school children in our community through the complexities of poverty and homelessness. “The impact of poverty on academic achievement is well documented, and school systems across the nation grapple with this issue. One of the most dire circumstances related to poverty is the possibility of homelessness, which can create an even more devastating impact for students. The challenge of poverty and homelessness is not something a school system can resolve alone. In Frederick County, it is so reassuring to have an organization like SHIP that stands ready to offer support and solutions for our students and families.” --Theresa R. Alban // Ph.D. Superintendent // Frederick County Public Schools
About Sean’s Decision to Raise $$$ for the Students of Frederick County.
I used to be a teacher (9th grade, Social Studies) and I currently work in education at Teach For America. I believe that the health and wealth of any community is reflected in the collective wellbeing and achievement of your youth, regardless of their zip-code. I was hoping to participate in the Maryland Endurance Challenge (May 2020) to help with the above cause because it aligned with my desire to help students in our community. But then COVID-19 struck and it was cancelled. Additionally, our students in low income communities are being disproportionately affected by COVD-19. Given social distancing executive orders, I considered how I can use my talents and skills to help alleviate some challenges faced by our most affected students. Though we aren't allowed to volunteer in public settings, I figured that I can still ride alone, yet raise money for a cause. Since the cancellation of the Maryland Endurance Challenge, my training volume may have dropped but the spirit to make an impact for students is motivation enough to dig into the climbing pain cave again and and attempt to Everest (even if ill-prepared).* Given my time to prepare for the 24hr climbing event is brief (3-4 weeks), I'll be testing out some unconventional preparation strategies ranging from intermittent fasting, cutting out caffeine and sugar until the day of the attempt, engaging in lots of core strength work, reducing beer consumption, experimenting with modifications to my equipment, and subjecting myself to frequent-multi-60 min rides daily (to build endurance since I don't have time for prolonged training rides given home schooling, family, and work responsibilities given our new COVID-19 realities). As a bonus, this event is also going to be my ultimate fun, fundraising, extravaganza submission for Bikes & Beers Social Distancing Ride challenge.* And with you a long for the ride, the Everesting will be extra special. Thanks for your donation and helping this effort be a win-win-win on all fronts!
*My longest outdoor ride logged has been a 37 miler with 8,000 feet of elevation. A far cry from the more structured training I engaged in to prepare for my Everesting attempt in 2018 .**Visit STRAVA to see my training exploits or INSTAGRAM to experience the antics of Everesting preparation. Learn more about Everesting
**Bikes & Beers Social Distancing Ride challenge
Organizer
Sean De Luna
Organizer
Smithsburg, MD
Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership of Frederick County (SHIP of Frederick County)
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
