Local Non-Profit "Sea to Sea" Tours To Fight Poverty | Community Spirit

By World Renew in Nonprofits

The Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour is a nine week, 3,900-mile cycling trek across North America designed to raise awareness and funds in support of those living in poverty around the world.

Sea to Sea is a non-profit organization headquartered near 28th Street and Kalamazoo in Kentwood. The Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour follows the shape and format of similar cycling projects hosted by the Christian Reformed Church in 2005 and 2008, which raised millions of dollars to send to local, national and international agencies fighting poverty.

The 2013 tour starts in Los Angeles on June 22, an estimated 180 people will travel the country by bike from one sea to the other, ending in New York City. The 180 cyclists include those who have participated in the past, those who intend on riding all 3,900 miles, those who dedicate themselves to biking a specific stretch of the ride and maybe even you! Time is running out to sign up as the deadline is March 1.

Having ridden 1,500 miles on the 2008 Sea to Sea tour  from Denver to Grand Rapids, Terry Barnes says that the interactions he had with people and strangers along the way is what inspired him to participate again in 2013.

“The best part is the reactions you get from people when you tell them that you are dedicating so much of your time and energy towards the cause," says Barnes. "It really brings out the best in people.”