For me, September 11th marks the 18th anniversary of both a public and personal tragedy.  My wife Susan Retik lost her husband Dave while he flew from Boston to LA.  Susan and Dave were raising our two children--Ben and Molly.  And Susan was pregnant with our now 17 year old daughter Dina (pictured with me 7 years ago).  This September we will mark the anniversary by riding from Ground Zero to Boston to raise funds on behalf of Afghan widows of war and terror.

Susan and our family suffered one of the most public and horrible losses any family could imagine.  Yet, our country, local community and individuals immediately wrapped the survivors of 9/11 up in love and support.  18 years later that support has allowed Susan and our children to live their lives and thrive.  Ben is entering his senior year of college at Colby.  Molly will be a junior at B.U.  Dina is entering her senior year of high school and Rebecca enters middle school.

Looking at our life now it is hard to imagine how difficult those first few years were.  However, what I admire most about Susan is despite her personal loss she was looking across the world to other widows who suffered a similar plight but without the support and opportunity to move beyond their tragedy.  With that realization Beyond the 11th was born.

Since inception, Beyond the 11th has made over $850,000 in grants that focus on income-generating programs for widows of war and terror in Afghanistan.  These grants not only impact widows but also their families.  In Afghanistan it is difficult enough being a woman.  Being a widow puts all of these women's rights and opportunities at jeopardy.  So Beyond the 11th's work is critical to empowering these widows to support themselves and their children.

Your support is so appreciated by me and our family.  For us, the ride will be a family affair (along with 35 other cyclists).  Our daughter Dina will be riding beside us.  And Molly and Rebecca are providing on the road support.  It will be an amazing three days that allows us to channel our energy, emotion and passion over 260 miles of paved road!

With much love and appreciation.  Donald

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

• anonymous donated $2,500.00 June 20, 2019
• Spector Family donated $1,000.00 August 19, 2019 ... "Have a great ride!"
• John Simon donated $1,000.00 July 8, 2019
• Sara & Jeff Enright donated $250.00 February 1, 2020 ... "So great to see this continue every year!"
• Bill and Sara Boyan donated $250.00 August 22, 2019 ... "You are riding for a great cause!!!! Wish you a smooth trip!"
• Chris Johnson donated $150.00 September 6, 2019
• Alan and Helen Paret donated $125.00 July 3, 2019 ... "Donald, Thanks for riding...."
• Ann & Michael Karlin donated $120.00 August 18, 2019
• Marc Gundersheim donated $100.00 September 5, 2019 ... "Have a safe and wonderful ride!"
• Kirshy Family donated $100.00 September 5, 2019 ... "All our love to the Retik - Ger - Zelesny family on this important day"
• Rebecca and Nino Tarantino donated $100.00 September 4, 2019 ... "Have a great ride!! Keep spreading the good!!!"
• Bob Witeck and Bob Connelly donated $100.00 September 2, 2019 ... "Love and admiration for your values and hopefulness, Susan and Donald."
• Bruce Landon donated $100.00 September 2, 2019 ... "Good luck!"
• Katy Martin donated $100.00 August 24, 2019 ... "Luv and miss u!😘 hope all is well!"
• Alex & Hebe donated $100.00 August 19, 2019 ... "Go Team!"
• Sep Rousta donated $100.00 August 18, 2019 ... "Wish we could join you🙏🏻"
• Megan and Casey Recupero donated $100.00 August 18, 2019 ... "Thanks Donald & Susan for all you do! Wishing you smooth pavement, cool breeze, and strong tires"
• Larry donated $100.00 August 18, 2019 ... "Wish I was riding"
• anonymous donated $100.00 July 22, 2019
• Lisa Young and Rich Aronson donated $50.00 September 17, 2019 ... "Wishing you and your family all the best..."
• Christine Resnick donated $50.00 September 6, 2019 ... "Good luck Don!"
• Jennifer Berkman, Sammy, Carly and Talia Saada donated $50.00 September 5, 2019 ... "Have a safe ride. All our love, Jennifer, Sammy, Carly and Talia"
• Don Brabants donated $50.00 September 5, 2019 ... "Hope you have a great ride!"
• Selma Aronson donated $50.00 September 4, 2019 ... "Wishing you much success!!"
• Chip Becker donated $50.00 September 3, 2019
• Aunt Sue and Uncle George donated $50.00 September 2, 2019 ... "Wishing you an easy ride!"
• Athena Katsaros donated $50.00 August 19, 2019 ... "I love this cause! Have a great ride!"
• Tamara donated $50.00 August 18, 2019 ... "Have a great ride!!"
• Kris Carafelli donated $50.00 August 18, 2019
• Lauren Shapiro Lieberman donated $50.00 August 18, 2019
• Lucille Allegre donated $50.00 June 20, 2019 ... "Good luck!!!!!"
• Andy and Tammy Levitt donated $36.00 September 3, 2019
• Cindy & Pam donated $25.00 September 6, 2019
• Debbie Schick donated $25.00 September 5, 2019 ... "Have fun and safe travels!!!"
• Gayle & Howard Karp donated $25.00 September 3, 2019
• Pat Seaver donated $25.00 September 3, 2019 ... "Have a great ride. So proud of you all. Thinking of Dave and Lynn. Much love. Pat"
• Joani and Mark Van Tuyl donated $25.00 June 20, 2019 ... "Thank you and safe trip!"
• Shirley Korth donated $25.00 June 20, 2019 ... "What a fabulous effort for such a needed cause."
• Ellen Burch donated $20.00 September 2, 2019