Have you heard of “Hike and Bike to Chance”?

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A couple of ladies have taken up a cause, and it is one you should check out! My good friend Alicia is one of the co-founders of this cause, and I would appreciate it if you take a look at what she has to say, and then do what you can to help! TAKE IT AWAY ALICIA!

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Alicia (left) Travis (center) Tasha (right)

“What is Hike and Bike to Chance?

It’s a fund raiser and awareness campaign for The Travis Mills Foundation to support The Maine Chance Lodge and Retreat. It’s the week of May 14th thru May 21st and the funds raised by Hike & Bike to Chance will be used toward the construction of a fitness center at the lodge.

The Lodge is being constructed by the Foundation as a retreat for combat wounded veterans. As divorce and suicide are on the rise with veterans – “the mission of the Mills Foundation is to offer critical services for veteran families, and the foundation is creating a national retreat to help veteran families unite with the land, water, nature and each other to revitalize themselves and to keep moving forward.”

Who’s doing it?

Tasha Wuerpel (rhymes with purple) and I are hiking up Mt. Katahdin and then cycling 300 miles to raise awareness of The Maine Chance Lodge and to raise the $20,000 the Lodge needs to build the fitness center.

The 300 mile ride will consist of 5 separate legs; Millinocket to Bangor, Bangor to Waterville, Waterville to South Portland, South Portland to Lewiston and Lewiston to Rome (the location of The Maine Chance Lodge).

Why Hike and Bike to Chance?

In Maine, there’s NO better way to get the word out about raising funding for a fitness center than to hike up Maine’s tallest peak and then jump on a couple of bicycles and ride 300 miles around the state.

Tasha’s passion for this project comes from growing up as the daughter of an Army Colonel – she has a deeply ingrained sense of honor and love for people in the service.

My passion comes from my life mission statement “to contribute physically and financially throughout the year.” I do this for 3 reasons; 1) the Bible says, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” 2) the story of the Good Samaritan and 3) because it’s the right thing to do.

How can YOU help?

You can help out several ways;

1) We will need your help passing on the mission of the Travis Mills Foundation and letting people know about The Maine Chance Lodge.

a. The Hike and Bike Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/hikeandbiketochance/
b. Travis Mills Foundation can be found at: http://www.travismills.org/

2) We’d love your financial support to help us reach the $20,000 goal toward the fitness center for the Lodge.

a. Click the “donate now” button on the Facebook page.

b. Checks are made out to Travis Mills Foundation and can be mailed to PO Box 8152, Winslow, ME 04901. Write Hike & Bike in the memo line.

c. Are you a business owner and want to consider a sponsorship? We’d be honored to have your help.

3) Words of encouragement and prayers will NOT be turned away.

4) Add the name of your veteran to the blue flag we’ll be carrying on the Hike & Bike.

a. Do you have a service member you want to honor? We would love to add the name of your veteran to this flag we’ll be presenting to The Maine Chance Lodge on Armed Forces Day, the last leg of the ride.

LAST THOUGHTS
No one walks past a person with a broken leg and says, “I’m not a doctor I can’t help you.” You do what you can; offer comfort, call 911 or perform emergency aid.

All we’re asking is for you to do what you can.

Are you feeling motivated?
LET’S DO THIS THING!”

 

Thanks Alicia!  Speaking as a veteran, I want to thank you for what you are doing, and I am praying that your goal is exceeded, and your trip is met with good weather, and you have fun!  Most of all I pray that you will complete your journey safely!

Doug Alley

About Doug Alley

I grew up in Bath, Maine in an upper lower class family with 3 step sisters, a step brother, and a little sister. After high school I spent 3 years serving in the USAF at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage AK. I've competed in, and won, demolition derbies. I've competed in, and never won, stock car races. I am the 47-year-old father of an 11-year-old boy who is pretty sure he is smarter than I ever was. We live on a little less than an acre of land in a 1973 mobile home in Stetson with my wife Jen, some cats, a few chickens, and rabbits, and a couple of goats. I hunt, fish, camp out, dabble in photography, gardening, and I cook in variable degrees of near success.