Dear Friends,
Please consider sponsoring me for the 31st Steeplechase Bike Tour on August 20th 2022. This year’s ride is especially personal to me because as many of you know, my father-in-law, Ed Austin passed away in June.
Ed was a co-founder of WAIM and with his wife Faith came up with the idea for the Steeplechase Bike Tour thirty years ago. I only just found out this bit of news while going through files and reading news letters from years ago.
I was talking with a cycling friend on a bike ride a few weeks ago and, while describing the type of man Ed was she said he sounded like a ‘mensch’….she said her father-in-law was a mensch (I could tell by the way she said it, that this was a good thing!) So, off to Mirriam and Webster… In Yiddish, a mensch is a man of ‘integrity and honor’…I would say that that is just about right.
Ed had the ability to bring people together to do good things. He had a strong belief in God, and in the goodness of people. He said something to me once that struck a cord … “you can’t push a rope”. It took me awhile to realize the complexity of this seemingly simple sentence. I look at it like this: some people are silk threads, strong in their ability to weave delicate fabric. Some are industrious white cord, with the ability to be used in countless ways; yet others are thick ropes, fibers woven together to support the heaviest of loads.
We miss him in countless ways and we are all better people for having him in our lives. You have all supported me in my fundraising and I just wanted to tell you that.
I’m not sure which route I will do this year, but I see that a portion of the Air Line trail is being used so I may just do some of that and figure on 35-50 miles total…fingers crossed that it doesn’t rain!
Now more than ever, the charities which this ride serves need our help. The Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM), comprised of 39 faith communities, provides fuel assistance, clothing, and furniture to area needy families. Perception Programs offers treatment, case management, education, and housing to people with substance use and mental health co-occurring disorders, adults involved in the criminal justice system, and people living with AIDS. The Windham Region No Freeze Project provides safe temporary shelter, and strives to address unmet needs including food, clothing, hygiene, case management, and emergency & transport funding.
Steeple Chase Bike Tour 2022
Steeple Chase Ride & Walk - August 20, 2022
100% of proceeds go to support:
Perception Programs, Inc ** Windham Area Interfaith Ministry ** Windham No Freeze Project
We are a charity fundraiser for three area non-profit social service agencies
The trademark of the agencies is providing quality services. WE NEED YOUR HELP to raise money to meet the increased needs of the clients we serve. Please ride with us and raise money for your neighbors, friends and family.
REGISTRATION AND FUNDRAISING INFORMATION
• Register on-line at www.bikereg.com, or www.steeplechasebiketour.org
• $25 per rider, plus each rider is asked raise an additional $50 by the event date ($75 total).
• Use coupon code STEEPLE22 to receive $10 off your registration -- now through June 30th!
EVENT INFORMATION
• LOCATION: 1 Jillson Square, Willimantic, CT 06226
• START TIMES: Registration begins at 7:00am.
• ROUTES: This is a hybrid event, which means you can ride one of our supported routes in person at the event, or create your own virtual route anywhere you choose! This year's supported cycling routes include:
- 20 mile (road), 25 mile (rail trail), 35 mile (road), 50 mile (road), and 62.5 mile "metric Century" (road) , plus a 5 mile walk through Willimantic Parks.
CONTACT INFORMATION
phone: (860) 450-7122
email: [email protected]
**The Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) provides fuel assistance, clothing, and furniture to area needy families. WAIM is comprised of 39 faith communities**
**Windham No Freeze Project provides adults who are homeless overnight shelter. Their goal is to help clients obtain basic resources such as food, clothing, case management and transportation.**
**Perception Programs, Inc (PPI) offers treatment, case management, education and housing to people with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, adults involved in the criminal justice system, and people living with AIDS.**
www.steeplechasebiketour.org
31st Annual Steeple CHase Ride/ Walk