After countless hours of preparation and training, six young men, staff and alumni of the Paul Anderson Youth Home have officially set off on a 1,500 mile bike ride to encourage parents to take the FamilyStrong Parenting Pledge to “make parent a verb”. On the 50th anniversary of the same route that Paul Anderson rode in
1961, this team will bike from Vidalia, Ga., to Omaha, Neb., to honor Paul Anderson’s legacy as an Olympic gold medalist, “World’s Strongest Man” and founder of the youth home.
These young men hit the rode today for the Paul Anderson Cycling Challenge and will stop in several cities, including Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville, Tenn., St. Louis and Kansas City, before arriving in Omaha, Neb., on July 29.
“This ride will be a test of strength and yet, a true honor. The young men who participate in this feat will never forget the moment that they reach Omaha,” said Drew Read, Executive Director of Paul Anderson Ministries and fellow rider. “As they follow the path of a man who has changed their lives forever and the lives of thousands of others, they will learn perseverance, discipline, teamwork and endurance.”
The Paul Anderson Youth Home prides itself in being a living laboratory for the past 50 years. Each of the young men in the youth home has faced incarceration at some time, and the PAYH staff has watched as dangerous trends affect youth everyday. Now, the six young men are out to share their stories across the country and encourage parents to take action in their children’s lives before it’s too late.
I know that our team was most shocked when we learned that over 90,000 teenagers are arrested daily in the U.S. The incredible thing to hear about PAYH is that 90 percent of the young men who participate in the program never face jail time again.
“Like” Paul Anderson Ministries on Facebook and “Follow” @PAYHMinistries on Twitter to hear more interesting statistics and stay updated on the progress of the Paul Anderson Cycling Challenge.
Additionally, you can track the bikers live on their trip to Omaha at http://www.payhbikeride.com/. We are looking forward to seeing all that these young men accomplish over the course of the month!
