Navajo Nation Humanitarian Bike Ride 2021
Donation protected
My name is Abby Lowry, I’m a senior at Skyline High School in Salt Lake City Utah. Last year I worked alongside Taylor Wall and Fientje Allis in organizing, raising funds, and preparing food and supply boxes for a humanitarian drive benefiting the Navajo Nation. Fientje has been working with the Navajo Nation since 1998, and has a genuine and rich connection with these incredible people. I’d love to continue this connection and friendship with the people on the reservation by helping organize the humanitarian drive this year.
The Navajo Nation occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, & northwestern New Mexico and is roughly the size of West Virginia. Residents live on $200 to $800 per month and are often forced to choose between essentials such as firewood and food. Some of this income comes from making and selling handcrafted, authentic jewelry. The nation has very limited grocery distribution and significant challenges that limit crop production due to the remote setting, rugged terrain, arid climate, and very limited water and irrigation infrastructure. This year's severe drought conditions have only worsened their situation. Some of the everyday things we take for granted like fresh produce are very difficult to get on the reservation and are considered luxuries. The Covid-19 pandemic hit the reservation hard last year and the cultural, economic, and healthcare recovery efforts are ongoing.
In 2020, to raise awareness and funding, myself and three other cyclists embarked on a 300+ mile journey from the Salt Lake Valley to Page, Arizona- the nearest major city to the Navajo Nation. We set a goal to do it again this year. A long-distance, self-supported bike ride is similar to building relationships across cultures – both can be challenging but are very rewarding. The purpose of this journey is to strengthen the connection between the residents of Utah and the residents of the Navajo Nation as we work together to overcome universal challenges.
Specifically, the funds raised through these efforts will be used to purchase, assemble and deliver large humanitarian relief boxes to roughly 100+ households of elderly, home-bound and at-risk Navajo residents throughout the winter. Each box contains approximately $50 worth of food and supplies. Last year, due to an outpouring of generosity from friends, family, and members of our local community we raised nearly $9,000 and made three delivery trips.
On October 27th- 30th, My friend, Laneia Webb and I will pack up our bike and pedal the very same 4 day, fully self-supported journey. We’ll end this ride in the land the Navajo people have lived on for generations; surrounded by the natural landscapes they consider sacred. I invite you to join the cause! Pledging any amount of money per mile ridden, or a fixed amount will make this possible. I thank you in advance for your support of this cause; 100% of all funds raised will go directly to the Navajo Nation with the initiative to honor the systems put in place by the Nation's residents while helping in urgent situations.
The Navajo Nation occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, & northwestern New Mexico and is roughly the size of West Virginia. Residents live on $200 to $800 per month and are often forced to choose between essentials such as firewood and food. Some of this income comes from making and selling handcrafted, authentic jewelry. The nation has very limited grocery distribution and significant challenges that limit crop production due to the remote setting, rugged terrain, arid climate, and very limited water and irrigation infrastructure. This year's severe drought conditions have only worsened their situation. Some of the everyday things we take for granted like fresh produce are very difficult to get on the reservation and are considered luxuries. The Covid-19 pandemic hit the reservation hard last year and the cultural, economic, and healthcare recovery efforts are ongoing.
In 2020, to raise awareness and funding, myself and three other cyclists embarked on a 300+ mile journey from the Salt Lake Valley to Page, Arizona- the nearest major city to the Navajo Nation. We set a goal to do it again this year. A long-distance, self-supported bike ride is similar to building relationships across cultures – both can be challenging but are very rewarding. The purpose of this journey is to strengthen the connection between the residents of Utah and the residents of the Navajo Nation as we work together to overcome universal challenges.
Specifically, the funds raised through these efforts will be used to purchase, assemble and deliver large humanitarian relief boxes to roughly 100+ households of elderly, home-bound and at-risk Navajo residents throughout the winter. Each box contains approximately $50 worth of food and supplies. Last year, due to an outpouring of generosity from friends, family, and members of our local community we raised nearly $9,000 and made three delivery trips.
On October 27th- 30th, My friend, Laneia Webb and I will pack up our bike and pedal the very same 4 day, fully self-supported journey. We’ll end this ride in the land the Navajo people have lived on for generations; surrounded by the natural landscapes they consider sacred. I invite you to join the cause! Pledging any amount of money per mile ridden, or a fixed amount will make this possible. I thank you in advance for your support of this cause; 100% of all funds raised will go directly to the Navajo Nation with the initiative to honor the systems put in place by the Nation's residents while helping in urgent situations.
Organizer and beneficiary
Abby Lowry
Organizer
Salt Lake City, UT
JOHN WALL
Beneficiary
