On Tuesday June 21st at 8:00 a.m., cyclists leave West Chester Pennsylvania for a 500 mile trip through 7 counties in Pennsylvania and 5 counties in New York, and arrive at the Canadian border in Ogdensburg New York on the afternoon of June 25th. The ride benefits SPCAs and other animal rescue organizations located along the route.
In what started as an idea to ride a bike to the Canadian border, Mike Van Ryn and Viktor Ohnjec, members of the West Chester Cycling Club cycled the same route in late June 2009. They didn’t plan to make the ride a charity event but Mike’s brother offered to contribute $1 per mile to the Chester County SPCA. From that point forward the ride took on a life of its own. Word spread to the local community and donations started to come in. By September, the Chester County SPCA was presented with checks
totaling over $2000 from the money collected on behalf of the ride. Pedaling4Paws (P4P) became well documented as local newspapers contacted the riders for articles about the journey. In addition to the articles, riders regularly posted pictures and comments to a blog to share the days’ events with followers.
During the 2010 event, media coverage had grown to 6 television stations, 6 newspapers and 5 radio interviews and the donation size had grown to over $5000 raised and 100% donated to the participating SPCAs/shelters.
In 2011, Pedaling4Paws returns with a donation goal of $10,000 – with all proceeds going directly to local SPCAs/shelters on the route. With the help of online donation capabilities from those local SPCA/shelters, promotion of the event by local groups and participation in the ride by members of local bicycle clubs, the 2011 ride expects to draw significantly more riders and donations. The theme “Ride Locally, Donate Locally, Benefit Locally” describes the ride philosophy well.
Says Van Ryn, “In 2009 we did not have the infrastructure to effectively manage the contributions that we received. In 2010, we built up that infrastructure and worked with local shelters. This year we plan to increase awareness and participation through increased community support.”
Viktor Ohnjec notes, “We’ve seen great interest through local sponsors to help us collect locally through their stores and their community outreach. There’s no question that Pedaling4Paws is gaining visibility, popularity and support and we thank everyone involved for making that possible!”
Through word of mouth, the Pedaling4Paws organizers have been approached by other cyclists, both in PA and NY, who have expressed interest in riding all or portions of the ride. Says Ohnjec, “We have contacts with local cycling clubs along our route and businesses but recognize that we can always do more.”
For more information about Pedaling4Paws, the SPCAs/shelters the cause supports, the route itself, past media coverage and the 2009, 2010 blogs, please visit:
http://www.pedaling4paws.org
or contact:
Viktor Ohnjec, 610-918-2230 or vo@m2vp.com
Gary Bianchini, 215-783-0766 or gfbwhite@gmail.com
Mike Van Ryn, 315-685-2578 or kmvanryn@verizon.net