Bike ride aims to raise money
FOR HOLSTON HOME RENOVATION
By Homer Marcum
Sunday school classes, churches and other groups are stepping up to meet the challenge issued by Holston United Methodist Home for Children to pledge $1,000 over a threeyear period so Holston Home can raise enough funds to upgrade and renovate its aging facilities.
Those groups are joining with Holston Home to participate in a bike ride across Holston Conference later this month. The ride is the first of what will likely be several events aimed at raising enough funds to do the job, said the Rev. Rae Mullins, Holston Home's vice president for special ministries.
"We don't expect to be able to raise all of the funds we need in this initial ride. But we might. God works in mysterious ways," Mullins said. "A 10-member Sunday school class can raise $1,000 by having each member pledge $33 for each of three years. That's the route many groups are taking."
All of this activity, from planning that began months ago to the actual ride that begins on May 17 in Tazewell, Va., and ends May 30 at Holston Home in Greeneville, is being spearheaded by Mullins.
"Holston Home's main campus and buildings, which were built in the 1950s, are in bad need of upgrade and renovation," Mullins said. "We're asking churches and church groups to help us with the much-needed renovation by sponsoring a rider for each mile of the 500-plus-mile ride throughout the 12 districts of the Holston Conference."
"All God's children deserve to live in a place any of us would feel comfortable calling home. Help us build this home," said Art Masker, president and CEO of Holston Home.
This fund-raising effort – called Pedaling to Prepare a Place – is endorsed by leadership of the Holston Conference. Bishop Ray W. Chamberlain Jr. plans to ride for a portion of the route and encourages others to join as they are able.
"Right now, right here, in the bounds of our conference are children at risk of being emotionally scarred for life. I believe there are some whom God will nudge to give generously for this vision and the other pressing needs of Holston Home for Children. For God's sake, let's keep loving the children with deeds and not mere words," Chamberlain said.
"If all of the 931 churches in the Holston Conference can sign up enough people to pledge $2 per mile so that each church can contribute $1,000 toward our dream, that would do so much to help upgrade and brighten this place where children come to heal from their emotional and physical wounds," Mullins said.
At each stop along the way, a rally will be held at a church, and groups in each district will be encouraged to bring their pledges forward and give the bike riders a rousing send-off for the next leg of the ride, Mullins explained.
This year's ride is reminiscent of a fund-raiser conducted in April 2002 by Holston Conference to benefit the Legacy of Commitment pensions campaign. Last year's bike ride, spearheaded by the Rev. Jim Green, involved 42 bike riders and generated publicity for a campaign that would ultimately raise $8 million.
Posters and flyers for The Ride 2003 are available by calling Mullins at (423) 571-3378 or the Rev. Charles Hutchins, vice president for development, at (423) 787-8723. Mullins is anxious to hear from bike riders and church groups who want to help with the effort to upgrade Holston Home's facilities.
For a bike ride schedule, go to www.holstonconference.com and click on "Upcoming Events."
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