This September, I will be participating in Beyond the Bike, a 3-day 250 mile bike fundraiser. All the proceeds from the ride will go to Beyond the 11th the organization that my mom co-founded in 2003, when I was just 2 years old. The mission of the non-profit is to raise money and awareness for the plight of Afghan widows. Although I was too young at the time to understand the significance of what my mom was doing – now, as a 17 year old, I am in awe of the fact that she was able to see past her own tragedy to help others.

The last time my mom organized Beyond the Bike, in 2016, I volunteered to help with rider support. I knew back then that the next time my mom organized the ride, I wanted to participate as a cyclist.  I truly want to be able to raise money to help people who so clearly continue to need support. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to be a young widow, like my mom was, but instead of living here in the United States, living in Afghanistan where most women are illiterate and have no way to support themselves and their children.  I also want to ride because it has always been a goal of mine. From a young age, I have imagined myself being a part of this incredible experience. Although I am nervous about how physically demanding it will be, I am also excited to be a part of this amazing community of people and I’m determined to do it!

Thanks!

Beyond the Bike, a 3-day 260-mile bike ride from Ground Zero in NYC to Boston, is the signature fundraising event of Beyond the 11th.

Beyond the Bike 2019 will mark the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, when co-founder Susan Retik’s husband was killed on the first plane to hit the World Trade Center. Together with Susan, we will ride in honor of all the victims and rescuers who lost their lives that day. But we will also ride in celebration of the countless acts of courage and humanity that have marked the decade since.

Beyond the Bike is so much more than just a bike ride. We begin at the memorial pools at the site of Ground Zero, make our way out of NYC through the rolling hills of CT eventually arriving back in Boston. The 3 days are physically challenging which makes the accomplishment so rewarding. But it’s the people who make the experience so memorable. The small community of riders (we cap it at 45), the incredible support team, and all of the volunteers along the way make this fundraiser the best thing you’ll do all year…

Beyond the 11th was founded nearly 20 years ago as an extraordinary response to unspeakable loss: Compassion.

Susan Retik was expecting her third child when the last thing she ever expected happened -- her husband David was killed on the first plane to hit the World Trade Center.  But Susan did not give in to grief.  Instead she launched Beyond the 11th, a foundation dedicated to uplifting the lives of Afghan widows -- among the poorest and most destitute in the world.

Today, the organization she co-founded has transformed the lives of thousands of widows -- and their children -- with life-saving education and job training programs.

Beyond the 11th transcends acts of hate with acts of humanity, acts of despair with acts of ingenuity, and acts of fear with acts of self-reliance.  Its embrace of Afghan widows - sisters across the world - is helping to spread peace hand to hand and heart to heart, one widow at a time.

"I believe education and economic stability are antidotes to despair and extremism.  By teaching Afghan women how to support themselves, we help unlock a world of better choices for them and their children - and that benefits us all."  -- Susan Retik

Where the Money Goes

The fundraising you do for Beyond the Bike has an immediate and powerful impact on the lives of Afghan widows.  Beyond the 11th partners with international aid organizations like CARE, and NGOs like Arzu and BPeace, to provide Afghan widows literacy classes and training in a variety of entrepreneurial ventures.  Graduates of our programs have started many life-sustaining businesses:

·      Raising and selling eggs in their villages

·      Managing dairy cows and selling the milk

·      Hand stitching regulation soccer balls for sale around the world

·      Creating one of a kind hand knotted rugs, distributed by Arzu

·      Investing in and managing Savings & Loans programs, where women lend to women for life's necessities such as education and healthcare

• Kim Emmons-Benjet donated $2,500.00 July 8, 2019
• Alan Retik donated $1,400.00 September 1, 2019
• anonymous donated $500.00 September 1, 2019
• The Agostino Family donated $500.00 August 30, 2019 ... "Go Dina!"
• Shige and Amy Honjo donated $500.00 August 19, 2019
• Mama donated $300.00 August 27, 2019 ... "Your going to have an amazing ride! I’m so proud of you! Love you❤️"
• The Skalas donated $250.00 September 12, 2019 ... "You are amazing!!! "
• The Cosentino Family donated $250.00 September 7, 2019 ... "You are an amazing young woman and we love you"
• Farley Family donated $100.00 September 14, 2019
• The Lobel donated $100.00 September 10, 2019 ... "We are so proud of you, Dina!"
• Eric and Susan Brand donated $100.00 September 2, 2019 ... "Good luck to you and we are so proud. "
• Jean Dies donated $100.00 August 30, 2019 ... "Go Dina!! Have a great ride!!"
• Corey Amundson donated $100.00 August 25, 2019
• Your gonna absolutely kill it Dina!! We love you!! donated $100.00 August 20, 2019
• Maureen donated $100.00 August 18, 2019 ... "Good luck with the bike ride Dina! "
• Aunt Dreama & Uncle Jon donated $100.00 June 28, 2019 ... "Dina, we know you’ll have an incredibly meaningful experience and we’re very proud of you. Love you lots! Aunt Dreama & Uncle Jon"
• Uncle Mark and Aunt Jill donated $100.00 June 28, 2019 ... "Good luck, Dina! We love you! Uncle Mark and Aunt Jill"
• Lisa Downey donated $100.00 June 14, 2019 ... "Dina, I haven't met you but I'm SO IMPRESSED! I'm sure you'll never forget this ride. Best of luck!"
• Genevra Casais donated $50.00 September 7, 2019
• anonymous donated $50.00 September 4, 2019
• Nathan Hausspiegel donated $50.00 August 25, 2019
• Christopher Chang donated $50.00 June 28, 2019
• anonymous donated $50.00 June 28, 2019
• anonymous donated $50.00 June 28, 2019 ... "Have fun!! I’m so proud of you❤️"
• Andy and Tammy Levitt donated $36.00 September 3, 2019
• Aunt Ally donated $35.00 July 1, 2019 ... "Dina, You go girl!! Xoxo"
• Laurie Dibella donated $25.00 September 13, 2019
• Gayle & Howard Karp donated $25.00 September 3, 2019