140 year of Shriners

140 year of Shriners

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Trio plans cross-country bike ride for Shriners Hospitals

Two Utahns and a Nevadan are planning to ride bicycles more than 3,300 miles across the United States to earn money for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Skyler Zeschke, 17, of Kaysville, Utah, Willard White, 46, of Morgan, Utah, and Jim Francis, 60, of Mesquite, Nev., plan to begin their ride May 28 and anticipate the trip will take more than two months. All three are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The trio, accompanied by White’s wife and two daughters in a support vehicle, will begin the journey at Coos Bay, Ore., and ride through Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennslyvania and end their trip in New York City. They plan to maintain a pace of 45-65 miles a day.

White and Francis both had pioneer ancestors who crossed the Plains, so the trip will also be a reverse crossing in honor of those ancestors. Part of the charted course will include the actual pioneer trail.

The group is inviting any Scout troops along the route to come ride and earn the cycling merit badge.

The inspiration behind the big idea stems from how Shriners Hospitals for Children has played an instrumental role in preserving the health and lives of White’s three adopted daughters in recent years.

"They have probably spent more than $1 million on our girls. This is our way of giving back," said White, who served as a missionary in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

To follow their trip or donate directly to Shriners Hospitals for Children, visit www.inspirationroad.com. Posted by AllHumanity Organization

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