From November 1 - 12, 2006, Janice Gallagher, who left on November 24 to serve on FOR's Colombia Peace Presence Team, and Fedelma McKenna, biked over 500 miles from Boston to Washington D.C. to raise awareness and funds for their human rights work in Colombia.
A message from Janice:
15,000 members. Over 90 years old. Interfaith, Pacifist. These were some of the factual nuggets we [Janice and Fedelma McKenna] knew about FOR before we started our pedal for peace from Boston to Washington, DC to support FOR's human rights work in Colombia. On the road, these nuggets materialized in the form of an incredibly diverse group of supporters who, to a person, inspired us to keep going with their deep commitment to peace, their warm hearts, houses and food, and their enthusiastic reception of wet and smelly bicyclists.
On a long, cold, rainy, hilly day in Connecticut, we were scooped into a warm van and taken to the house of FOR board member Martha DiGiovanni, why floored me with her tireless work in support of peace, in addition to raising a family and teaching full-time. In what seemed like the middle of nowhere on a long ride down the Delaware River, the peace activists of LEPOCO materialized at a lovely cafe in Easton, PA, and brought the local press, got our lunches paid for by sympathetic store-owners, and even let us throw our bikes on the back of their car for a ways so that we could rest our aching knees for a bit. And, importantly, FOR members reached deep into their pockets to support this ride. To date, we have raised $11,600 in support of this work - more than 2/3 of the way towards our goal of $15,000.
If you are ever having doubts about the generosity of humanity, or are feeling isolated in your commitment to peace work, I strongly suggest riding your bike 500 miles and staying with FOR members. Perhaps not practical for everyone - but I can think of no more effective way to renew your spirit and restore your faith in the goodness of people. Thanks to all the FOR members (and many non-members, too!) who made our journey not only possible but also enjoyable. For more information about the bike ride and to read my blog, go to www.pedalingforpeace.org [1].
Please, thank Janice and Fedelma for their hard work and committment by sponsoring them for 1 or more of the 500 miles between Boston and DC.
1 mile sponsorship = $20
5 mile sponsorship = $100
OUR GOAL: 500 miles X $20 = $10,000
CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW [2]
OR
Please send a check made out to the Fellowship of Reconciliation
with "pedaling for peace" in the memo to
FOR, 369 15th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Their website, www.pedalingforpeace.org [3] includes photos from Colombia, the bike route, events the two will hold, and of course an opportunity to donate. Thank you for your support of Janice and Fedelma pedaling peace!