Ride For The Borders Ride for Youth

Do you remember when you learned how to ride a bicycle? Do you recall the exhilaration that you experienced soaring along on your bike with the wind in your face while you explored your community and beyond? Do you recollect the sense of freedom that bicycling gave you?

Hi, my name is Waymond Smith. I’ve been a member of the biking community in Chicago for a number of years, ranging in activities from teaching bicycle mechanics and bicycle safety for youth in North Lawndale of Chicago, volunteering for a biking organization in Pilsen that ships bicycles to countries in Africa, Central and South America and I’m active in promoting bicycling advocacy in the Chicago area.

I’m seeking funding to perform a fund-raising ride along the Pacific Coastline from the Canadian/US border (Vancouver, BC Canada) to the US/Mexican border (Tijuana, Mexico) in order to raise funds for bicycle organizations that provide or assist youth based bicycle programs in Chicago.

I feel that when the youth in these programs are exposed to the joys and benefits of bicycling they will be able to experience a part of life that they may have felt only existed for others. I want to help provide them with the opportunity that exists for others and at the same time offer them choices and a chance to create a different life that they may have thought inaccessible.

The youth of Chicago need activities to hep prevent them from getting into trouble or worse. Being involved in a biking program will help the youth learn discipline, develop thinking, problem solving and in some cases business skills.

Biking can help teach youth to make better life choices.

I’m seeking individual and corporate funding for food, lodging (camping), transportation costs and
in-kind donations of equipment required for the ride. I have purchased some of the touring equipment myself and need assistance for other items.

I’m asking you to make monetary contributions to the GoFundMe account that I have setup . Any contribution that you’re able to make will be greatly appreciated and welcomed.

If you wish to make an in-kind contribution, I have created a wish-list that can be viewed at https://www.gofundme.com/RidefortheBorder).%20Any%20contribution%20that%20you%E2%80%99re%20able%20to%20make%20will%20be%20greatly%20appreciated%20and%20welcomed.%20If%20you%20wish%20to%20make%20an%20in-kind%20contribution,%20I%20have%20created%20a%20wish-list%20that%20can%20be%20viewed%20at%20https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-6cl7jM2GqrTG5aYVRrYm44MnM/view" target="_blank">https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-6cl7jM2GqrTG5aYVRrYm44MnM/view?usp=sharing

You can follow my progress at this Facebook link: facebook.com/ridefortheborders

Thank you for your support.