Plunkett's ride to raise money for healing in Vermont!

Olivia Plunkett is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

At the end of July, I am once again riding in the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). As this is my 6th time - I KNOW what you're thinking, loved ones... this is getting old! Why do I keep riding all this way across this random state and continue to ask for support in doing it? Well believe it or not, the list of reasons is quite extensive, but this year, there are a few that stand out.

1. This is the HILLIEST ride in RAGBRAI's 51-year history. Over the 424 miles of this year's route, we will climb nearly 20,000 ft. I truly don't think I've ever been more grateful to be from VT...

2. This year I am raising money for Ignite Change, the program I have rigorously dedicated myself to starting and running over the past 2 years. Ignite Change is Vermont's most intensive domestic violence accountability program. Ignite Change centers trauma education and healing-focused practices, and we meet 2x/week for 2 hours at a time, in PERSON, for 6 months!!

Normally I ride with Team Alma raising money to support the Alma Center in Milwaukee, WI and their groundbreaking work to end cycles of violence. I never knew it, but turns out, all 5 of my previous rides across Iowa with Team Alma have played a pivotal role in bringing this powerful approach to addressing domestic violence here to VT.

Each ride across Iowa taught me more about community, trust, and courage. It also allowed me to learn more about the groundbreaking curriculum and methodology which were initially created at the Alma Center, that we now use in Ignite Change. I can proudly say that both curriculum and methodology are now serving Vermont communities throughout the Northeast Kingdom.

Please consider donating this year to support my sorry and sore ass getting across Iowa and back home to this program that I have poured my heart into. Donations will go towards supporting Ignite Change's work with Vermonters who have caused harm to their partners. Turns out doing real good work with real hurt people, takes a real lot of money. Your donations will help us continue to center healing, prevention, and new possibilities in this domestic violence accountability work in the NEK. Every person deserves the chance to heal and transform both their abusive values and unresolved pain.

Ride 1