Meet John McBride from Yuma, Arizona

John McBride is a teacher at Crane Middle School in Yuma, Arizona but his commitment to his students goes well beyond the classroom. John used his own money to start a competitive biking program called Turning Point that gives at-risk kids an alternative to gangs and a reason to stay in school. His request of $20,000 for new pro racing bikes & equipment will allow even more kids to join the team, train, and compete in regional races and then hopefully, on to National Junior's competition. “We are not about just winning races,” says John. “Our goal is to save children.”


Last year, after seeing too many kids drop out of school to be lost in gangs and drugs, John borrowed $13,000 against his house to start this biking program. They ride 100-150 miles per week and he says, “The change in these kids has been dramatic! My kids come from homeless and poverty stricken families. I have seen kids murdered, and have had kids get sentenced to life for attempted murder. The most striking thing is when asked what they want to be when they grow up, they draw a blank. For them the future is prison or menial labor. It gives them a reason to avoid gangs and stay in school. But you should see my kids who ride the bikes!”

The team meets six days a week, training at least two hours a day, all year long… even in the winter cold and the scorching desert summers. Being a border community rife with gangs and drugs, biking gives these kids an alternative lifestyle through a very competitive and disciplined sport. Biking requires high fitness, determination, dedication and constant training. “We also give these kids a place to meet to escape some of the problems at home,” says John. “Almost all of my kids come from broken homes, two have had a parent commit suicide, many have been convicted of juvenile offenses, almost all have been held back a grade. We also help out with homework.”


Currently, the kids are riding on donated bikes that are over 20 years old, and upgraded department store bikes. And while they are winning events and placing, they are really outclassed when it comes to equipment. These kids are poor, and all come from broken homes with no revenue resources. The team now has six full time riders and there are six more on the waiting list who train with the team. With our donation and the equipment he currently has, John could easily expand the program to around 20 riders.

John requested $20,000 to purchase:
6 GT, GTR Pro Rival Road Bikes
6 Shimano Ultegra pedal sets
12 Team uniforms
12 Bib shorts
6 Pairs of road shoes

“These kids amaze me!” says John. “They train throughout vacations, weekends, and even when things are at their bleakest. I think that is why these boys have done as well as they have. They understand suffering, and biking is often about enduring physical pain and fatigue. On cheap, outdated equipment we have won some major road races and finished well in others.”

John also says this gift could not have come at a better time. The state budget cuts have eliminated the program but they are enduring through out of pocket donations by the coaches and sheer determination on the part of the kids. “We have made a 5 year commitment to each child in the hopes we can see them through high school and graduation.”

If you'd like to learn more about John and his Turning Point Cycling Team, here's a link to their new website: http://www.yumabikeclub.com

Diary Starts Here

June 18, 2009
Last week we received another great update from John titled "Those Yuma Kids Do it Again!"...
"On a course that would break a strong man...those plucky Yuma kids did it again! The State Road Championships was a tough course to say the least. A long climb at 4-6% grade, only to be followed by an even longer climb at 7% grade. A 35 mile course that was actually 43 miles, and a good turn out of quality competitors.

They were all there DNA Racing, our favorites El Grupo, Tribe Racing, Landis Trek, Strada, Thunder Mountain, the powerhouse team of Waste Management, and of course YBC Racing.

The Yuma kids managed another Championship for Syria Zepeda, Andi Garcia brought home a silver medal, and Primo Yocupicio pulled in a bronze medal. Team DNA pulled in a great finish as well as EL Grupo and Strada. Even though they were staged 2 minutes behind the cat4 women and 5 minutes behind the cat5 men, juniors pulled ahead and beat both groups!

The course alternated between strenous climbs and descents that would test the nerve of the best rider. Average speed off some of the computers approched 50 mph! It was a great race with perfect conditions...all of the juniors finished their races and were a credit to our state.
-John

Season talley:
2 4 wins
58 podium finishes
2 state championships
leading all 4 junior divisions for Copper Cup Points!"

Congratulations to everyone!!

June 1st, 2009
We love getting updates from John and we're so proud of what he has accomplished and how many lives he has changed. See for yourself in his end-of-season update...

"As the season winds to a close I wish to personally thank everyone who helped make this year a reality. These kids have accomplished great things! They have won 23 races, taken the podium 55 times, and secured a state championship.

But there are other things the club has accomplished that you may not be aware of...

* We fixed up 13 bikes for the Christmas bike drive to be donated to needy children.
* We donated shoes, clothing and equipment, including 8 road bikes to a needy intervention team in Tucson.
* Currently the club is working with Crane district to secure a $50,000. grant to help provide exercise equipment and training to obese children in Yuma county.

This little club is having a big impact upon our community and we could not have done it without your support! As we finish this season we are already looking to next year: holding tryouts and expanding the team, purchasing new uniforms (they have already worn out the old ones!), and racing an even larger schedule next year.

Thank you,
J. McBride "

May 7th, 2009
John sent us an update along with some great action shots of the individual cyclists racing... "The season is winding down, we are doing insane hill climbing practices for a championship we do not need but the kids want to race in the sweltering heat of an Arizona May-June. These kids amaze me! They rise to any challenge and look for more!

When I reflect upon all the races, the practices, the meals, and hotels; the long car trips and early mornings, I wonder, "what have I gotten myself into?"

But then I see the photos, the faces of the riders, the camraderie between kids who would otherwise have been written off. The kids who might have failed, who might have been victims...

They race for the same reason rich white men climb mountains, to test themselves, to prove something, to be part of a great endevour. I know I have said before how proud I am of these kids, but that seems shallow and hollow. I admire these fierce competitors, these cyclists and their poetry on the bike. When they ride their is a grace that words cannot describe. They are not part of something great...they are great!

Again, thank you Jenny for making it all happen. I hope you like the latest photos, they were taken by acclaimed sports photographer Mason Ibas.

- John"

April 27th, 2009
John sent us a kind note... "Through your generosity we have been able to compete in almost every major race in Arizona this season. The result? 52 podium finishes, 22 wins, a state champion and we are the #1 ranked team in Arizona and leading the Copper Cup standing in three out of four divisions!

These kids are fantastic, they race with their hearts and give it all and the results prove it. We have raced against bigger, better funded teams: Strada, Waste Management, El Grupo, Tribe Racing and we have emerged victorious!

It is our goal to have a Yuma kid racing in nationals within two years and I am confident with the continued support of folks like you we can achieve that goal!

Who knows? Someday we may have riders in Worls, the Olympics, or even in the Tour de France! (Hey, if you gonna dream then dream big!)

With only two races left in the season I wanted to say thank you for making this possible."

April 20th, 2009
John was excited to report the results of Arizona State Championship Crit over the weekend... "We have a new Arizona State Champion! And it is Syria Zepeda! After a perfect season she clinched the Arizona state crit. Championships with ease. She is also the top ramned junior girl in the Copper Cup series.

Rodrigo Diaz beat back some tough competition from Strada, El Grupo, Waste Management, and San Tan teams to clinch 2nd place, silver medal, then went out again to place 8th in the men's cat-5's.

Alex Veiyra, pulled off a beautiful slingshot move to position Rodrigo for the final sprint and ended up taking home 4th place.

Primo brought home the silver for the 17-18's.

All in all we have 6 riders in the top rankings for the Arizona Copper Cup, and are leading 3 out of four divisions!!

Racing through the canyons of down-town Phoenix with the high rise buildings forming a surreal backdrop to what proved to be some very fast and technical racing. The brave red and black uniforms of the Turning Point/YBC racing kids stood out from the crowd as they pedaled their way to victory against some very large and aggressive fields. Rodrigo had an epic duel with a cat-3 rider and with the assist from Alex on the next to last lap was almost able to pull off the upset of the season. Syria, raced as the only girl in the junior women, and ended up pulling a string of boys in her wake. (Cannot believe she is only 12!)

Then the boys raced in the men's cat-5 for the experience. What a race that turned out to be! Nervous they held at the back of the pack for the first several laps. Then Jesse mounted a charge that got him to the middle of the pack. Tom was stuck out front and Rodrigo rode to his rescue. Moving up the pack he gained the front. Although, Jeff rode brilliantly up to pull for Tom it was too late, he was spent and had pulled to long. There Rodrigo held in the front group for the last third of the race by himself. They could not shake him from the number four spot. Turn after turn these men strained to shake the silly kid with a shark grin, but to no avail. Around the 180 degree turn, down the straightaway into a series of 90 degree turns, the speed inching up to 30 mph. Spread out in the final sprint, jostling and jockying for position, all alone, the nervous kid from Yuma in his first cat-5 crit, in the championships pulled off an 8th place finish that set the crowd wild.

Thank you Tom and Jeff for taking these young riders under your wing and mentoring them. See you at the state road championships in June!

YBC is definetly a presence on the Arizona Circuit. They all know who we are now!!"

April 9th, 2009
John emailed us the results of last weekend's U of A race... "Well, we just got back from a series of road races and the kids did great as usual! We took 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the junior boys ages 15-16. We also took home 1st, 2nd, 3rd, in Junior girls ages 12-14. We took 1st and 2nd in boys ages 17-18, and a 1st & 3rd in boys ages 12-14. Overall we are the number one ranked team in Arizona and we are leading in 3 out of 4 divisions we race in this year!"

March 30th, 2009
The team raced in the Colossal Cave Stage Race over the weekend. Here's the report from John... "Well, it was a great weekend! The weather was good, a bit cold for the time trial, but warmed up nicely for the crit. Speaking of which the crit course was very challenging with several bad spills. The kids did well, overall we won one 1st place and GC win, two 2nd places finishes, and a 3rd place finish. Rodrigo placed second in his division all three days against the Waste Management team, and Walter placed third in his division against some strong competetion from El Grupo. Primo took home two second place finishes and a third on the road race. Little Syria was once again the big winner taking home first place all three days in her division!"

March 23rd, 2009
John sent us a report on last Saturday's race... "The Tour de Yuma was a great success! Together, the local cycling community and our sponsors raised over $5,000.00 for the Turning Point kids. This will allow us to complete our 2009 race season. The weather was perfect and many riders set a fast pace. The Turning Point team in their matching red and black uniforms lead the way and everyone commented about what good kids and riders they were."

March 17th, 2009
This Saturday, March 21st, is the 5th Annual Tour de Yuma. John describes the race as follows... "The ride begins and ends at Gateway Park in downtown Yuma. The ride is a grueling test of stamina and willpower. Show up to see how you measure up to the rest of Yuma's finest athletes."

March 11th, 2009
We heard from John about their recent participation in the Tucson Bicycle Classic. The team continues to make us proud. "Our kids did great! They dominated the field in their first junior olympics, 3-day stage race. The team took home two gold medals, a silver medal, two bronze medals and six yellow leaders jerseys. Combined they won 8 of the 12 stages they raced in! Everyone commented on how professional and what good sports the team in red and black was.

We also met another team of intervention kids riding old bikes that they had rescued and fixed up. We will be sending them eight of our bikes from last year to help give them a leg up as well as additional equipment."

March 4th, 2009
Last weekend, the Turning Point team raced in the annual North End Classic in Yuma, AZ and John emailed us the results...

"It was a great two day race! Turning Point kids dominated and did very well, you will be proud of our kids.

4 first place finishes
3 second place finishes
3 third place finishes
3 fourth place finishes
3 5th place finishes
1 sixth place finish

Rodrigo Diaz and Syria Zepeda also did double duty, syria raced catIV women and pulled off a 6th place finish in the crit. Rodrigo pulled out a 10th place finish in catV crit, and at the request of promoters was run as a catV for the road race. (He was lapping the field!) he finished 10th again out of 28 riders! For a boy of 14 to be competing at this level is unheard of."

February 7, 2009
John sent us some recent training pictures and the kids are really looking great! They should be making it to the state championships in both road and crit this year.

February 2, 2009
Congratulations to John who tells us he just signed a one-year contract for factory sponsorship with Arizona precision bicycle manufacturer and supplier Velo Vie (www.velovie.com). They will provide support equipment at factory cost, banners, T-shirts, hats, and will even arrange for the kids to train with their sponsored Italian team! John met with the company president who is going to personally deliver and fit the 6 new race bikes and ride with the kids. Our thanks to Velo Vie's Daniel Barnes

On Saturday, the team participated in the Imperial Classic in Imperial, California and John said they had a great first race. "The kids did fantastic winning first in the girl's fun race, first in the boy's fun race, 9th, 10th, and 12th in the men's cat-5 race, and 11th in the women's cat-4 race. (there was no junior category; they were racing with the big dogs!) The kids are wonderful! I am so proud of them and all of the volunteers who are making this possible." We are too, John. And thanks for the fantastic photos from the race.

January 24, 2009
I am so proud of John and all the kids on the team. On New Years Day, they met up with the Imperial Valley Velo Club in Ocotillo, California for a challenging ride. This is what Imperial Valley Velo Club posted on their website about the Youth Division: "The stars of the day were the 15 dashing young members of the Yuma Turning Point youth cycling team. Clad in matching noble red kits and sinister black bikes, the middle school kids soon left many a veteran cyclist behind. Fourteen-year old Rodrigo kept a fierce pace all the way to Agua Caliente, giving 50+ Harold plenty of motivation to keep pedaling. Props to John McBride, team mom Claudia, and mechanic Isaac for their great work with these young folks." This is what commitment and focus and training can accomplish. Imagine what else these kids will be able to do in life!

January 22, 2009
I spoke to John yesterday and he told me how the bike club started. There was a 15-year-old homeless boy in the area whose father had killed his mother. The boy came to school 2 hours late one day and John chastised him for being late. The boy said he had walked for 8 miles to get to school. John felt bad for being upset but happy this this boy wanted to learn. So he decided to help and went to Target and bought the boy a bike to get to school. The bike turned out to be therapeutic and he bought more bikes for more kids so they could ride and talk. Put boys and bikes together and the next thing you know, they want to race. And that's how the bike racing club was born.

January 15, 2009
It looks like Christmas just keeps on coming for the bike club. We just heard that in response to the latest press that came out, they received an additional $4,900 in contributions. That's fantastic!

January 6, 2009
John spent his Christmas break training with his racing team. The kids had a chance to give a little back by cleaning and fixing donated bikes to be given away at Christmas. Together they fixed up 13 bicycles!

December 23, 2008
Congratulations to John and his racing team. I just called during the team Christmas party with some big news. They are getting a second grant of $25,000! We are so impressed with what John is doing for these kids and with the dedication the kids have to the program. As many grants as were given this year, Damon and I found ourselves around $25,000 under one million. And since I committed to giving a million in 2008, this way I fulfil my obligation, and John will be able to expand the the program to another school. "The pride and accomplishments, the change in attitude, the change in lifestyle is nothing short of incredible," says John about the strides the kids have made. "I have been a teacher in this community for eleven years and I have seen nothing like this." We are so proud of this man and look forward to even more kids having something great to be a part of.

December 1, 2008
John's bike racing team competed in their first charity race, the famous "El Tour de Tucson." He had ten riders race in this event which is the largest of its kind in the country. This year there were 8,600 riders competing. They competed in the 66 mile and 35 mile events.

In the 66 mile event, out of 1,300 riders they placed 93rd overall and 1st as juniors. In the 35 mile event, his team placed 161st. "This is a great showing for our team!" said John. "Rodrigo Diaz, a 13 year old, completed the event in 3hrs 38min. Every rider on our team completed the course and none dropped out which is incredible!" We are so proud of our hero, John, and especially proud of the kids in these great photos:

November 10, 2008
Things are going great with the Yuma Bike Club. Here's the latest from John:
"Well, we finally concluded our last tryout before the season! We had almost 20 applicants show up to the clinic and we narrowed that list down to 8 candidates. I gave the team the option of taking Saturday off since Friday night was halloween, but the kids wouldn't hear of it! (You know Jenny, you made an impact in a kids' life when they would rather train than go out and party.) Saturdays tryouts were amazing! Only two riders where unable to complete the gruelling 25 mile course and we ended up selecting another girl and three boys for the team. We also selected another boy from 5 applicants to be an apprentice mechanic for the team. Since your donation we have added 15 kids, 3 adults, merged with Yuma Bike Club, and created an entirely new training facility. Monday we are having the sponsor ceremony with Time Warner Cable."

October 3, 2008
These kids are getting good! On Saturday we rode 30 miles and fought some viscious headwinds. The lead group still shaved almost two minutes off of last week's time. (Guess the formation practice in the parking lot is paying off?) We have a new team secretary and she has sent out over 100 mailers to local businesses. We have already been approached by three new potential sponsors and have set up a new account for the money with the school district. We will be holding more tryouts for the girls' squad, we have eleven potential applicants and are looking to fill 3 more slots on that team. Coach Madrueno is doing a fantastic job with the girls, soon they will be giving the boys a run for their money!"

October 3, 2008
"Who said that today's generation is lazy?" says John. They conduct drills in the parking lot where the kids are practicing and learning how to ride in close proximity to other riders. We love what John is doing for these kids. For their rides, they meet at 6:15 am and ride a little over 31 miles. These kids are dedicated! With practice and school they log 12 hour days and get up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday! And John, we love your photos!

October 1, 2008
Team Turning Point is looking good! We just got some new team photos of the kids and their equipment. They added 4 girls (one not pictured) and two more boys to the team.

September 18 , 2008
John's team had their his first clinic last week and 12 new riders attended. They will select 8 for try-outs. They also had a bike fitting, a speed course and bike familiarization, and finally a 25 mile road ride followed by a spaghetti lunch. Between volunteers, coaches, & current riders they have about 20 people on the road! They're also currently building a time trial bike as well as rebuilding from the frame up some older bikes for the kids to keep. Oh, and John sent us a sample of their new water bottles with great looking logos.

August 25, 2008
John tells us they are having open practices right now, letting kids who are interested join them for training to see what it is like. For two weeks it has been a packed house! He imposes a limit of ten new riders and has had to send kids away so many show up! In a few weeks they will start holding clinics and try-outs. "With all the troubles our local schools are facing," says John, "this program is such a bright spot. It really makes me glad to be able to meet with these kids and provide them with a healthy sport and comraderie." It makes us glad too, John, and congratulations on the start of a great season!

July 29, 2008
John sent me an email about a Saturday bike ride down highway 95 that reads more like a movie script and I hope everyone will read it. It illustrates his passion for helping others, and it shows you just how much one person can do... how many lives he can touch...how powerful a role model he can be.

Hello Jenny,

Today was a good day. I met up with four of the boys and coach Madrueno at 5:30 am for our Saturday ride. We planned on riding with one of the local race teams, Sahara Racing, and other members from Yuma Bike Club. All together there was about 20 of us that left out of the parking lot for the ride. By 6am it was already 97 degrees out!

We headed out Hwy 95 in a double pace line. I was riding in the back and couldn't help admiring my group in their matching red and black riding gear and black bikes. Even the red water bottles matched. They rode smartly for about five miles pulling together as a team and taking turns leading and drafting. We were doing over 20 mph at this point and there was no more than a few inches of space between the wheels of the riders.

Then came the first hill. It is not a great hill but it has a heck of a steep grade. Angle of course flew up the hill effortlessly, that boy is a natural climber, even passing the Sahara Team with ease. The groups thinned out and separated and I found myself pulling lead with three boys in trail behind me. We hit the 25 mile mark within an hour and 10 minutes, holding a 21.5 mph average. Not to bad for some kids who had never even rode a road bike before a couple of months ago! By this time it was 102 degrees outside.

We stopped at a Circle K for some ice and water and I bought the boys candy bars. To be honest, I am always amazed at the transformation that comes over these kids when they ride. One of the boys always wears baggy clothes over his riding gear because red is the rival gang colors, off the bike they are tight lipped and tense, on the bikes they relax, smile and joke...they are kids again!

Coach Madrueno was somewhere in the rear group. She called me to say they would meet us in a small town midway on the ride. I was so happy for Coach Madrueno, she told us today that she was finally pregnant after trying for the past few years. The boys were so happy for her and protective. They were so worried she shouldn't be riding! One of the boys stayed behind just to keep an eye on her, playing the role of mother hen!

We hit the Hwy again and gained some speed on the long smooth road. The wind started picking up and gusting and I was glad all of my boys had decent eyewear. Before they used to get so much grit and dirt in their eyes blowing off the plowed farm fields that their eyes would be red and teary, but now the new wrap around glasses you bought us work fantastic!

I keyed my ipod to some AC/DC and picked up the pace. I could tell by the shadows that the boys were right behind me. Four silhouettes against the pavement. My speedometer was reading 23 mph at this point. (Another item we bought with your money and makes a huge difference, each boy has a bike computer.) By this time it was 105 degrees out.

We crest the mesa on our final climb and enjoy descending, hitting speeds over 36 mph on the way down. Behind me I hear the boys laugh with the sheer joy of going fast. By now we have covered over 40 miles and legs and butts are feeling the strain. Yet when I accelerate they match me pedal stroke for pedal stroke. It is moments like these when I truly love these hard-bitten, frowning kids from the streets! There is no quit in them and to stop them you would have to kill them. I push a little harder, trying to break them up a little, I try tricks like swerving and changing speeds. They stick to me like glue.

We pull into our staging area with exactly 50 miles on the computers. We finished the ride in 2 hours and 20 minutes, a 21.42 mph average. Today it hit 106 degrees with 30% humidity and gusting winds of 19 mph. We fought the heat, the hills, the wind (which always seemed to be against us!) and won. We rejoin coach Madrueno and her shadow, tease each other about speeds and who pulled who. The boys are drenched, caked in sweat and salt, but they are happy.

And you know what? So am I!

Thank you so much Jenny for your gift. You really do not know what a difference you have made. To be honest I do not care if the boys ever compete in a single race, just seeing the transformation in them when we do these training rides, the pride I feel when they accomplish something great, I wish I had the words to convey the emotions.

You did, John, and thank you for making us proud.

July 11, 2008
John got his bikes! He says they are beautiful - black with white and silver trim, light-weight and with indexed shifting (that means no more dropped chains). The kids love them and couldn't wait to get on the road. They've already put 100 miles on them. Thanks to John's wheeling and dealing, his initial shopping list has more than doubled! He will have enough clothes and shoes to last for at least three years and should be able to mount between 15-20 kids! He sent us these pictures of the new bikes, cycling gear and uniforms. It's exciting just to see the pictures so you can imagine how thrilled the kids must be.

July 7, 2008
The kids are busy revamping the bike room, building bike racks, putting up posters, and painting. Their plan is to have it all ready by the end of summer to hold some bike clinics and tryouts. "I am so proud of the team and the difference is already amazing," says John. "I have always believed that environment has a big impact upon behavior. Dress the part and act the part and pretty soon you will become the part. This is true of my kids. They are already feeling like champions!"

June 19, 2008
We hear the kids can hardly contain their excitement. "I keep telling them we will have everything together by the end of the month," says John, "but they still ask EVERY DAY if anything has come in! You must realize that for these kids they do not get much in the way of gifts so this is like a thousand Christmas' wrapped into one!! The support crew is busy building bike racks to hold 20 bikes. The four new riders are riding every morning and doing an hour of spin class working on conditioning. The temps are hitting 113F here so we try to have the road riding done by 9am, then move our training indoors. The kids are also discussing what races we will compete in for the 2009 season."

All the bikes are on order and John just ordered new helmets, gloves, socks, and other gear. I'm with the kids: "When are the bikes coming!!!??? Are they there yet?" I can't wait!

June 12, 2008
John sent this email to express what this grant means to him...
"I cannot say what a difference Jenny's generous contribution has made. Already two kids who I was losing now want to clean up their act and come back! The kids are celebrating and training hard. We have already ordered 15 bikes and riding gear for a dozen riders. I need to also thank the other teachers, Mrs. Cinthia Madrueno and Ms. Jennifer Deer, they are the heart and brains of the program!

Also thank you to our local bike shop, Mr. B's Bikes of Yuma for helping us stretch our dollars and fill some very big orders! Ireally believe that this donation will have a ripple effect. We are already able to apply for matching funds and could easily serve twice as many students within the next few months. Thank you Jenny!!"

June 11, 2008
I spoke to John this morning and he's still recovering from his whirlwind day on Monday. His phone rang off the hook and he even heard from an old friend who served with him in the Marines 17 years ago! John celebrated his good news by taking his kids out to a steak dinner and to the local bike shop.

He's also taking the support kids to the tool store. This is the team that maintains and rebuilds bikes, in fact they got so good at it that the bike shop will let them work there over the summer. With our grant money, John will be buying fifteen new bikes which is more than the six he originally planned. And a ripple effect has already started: Two more teachers have offered to join the team, volunteering their time, and the school district has approved them as an official after school program so now they will have liability insurance and some new space to use as a workshop. And John is moving quickly. He has already ordered new uniforms and protective eyewear, still working to get the best deal on the bikes. By the way, John is recovering from shoulder surgery and at the same time, his 94-year old grandmother broke her hip. John's injury was from a biking accident and grandma's happened when she jumped a block fence to visit her 80 year old boyfriend!

June 9, 2008
What an exciting phone call this was to make. I surprised John at his school today with the news that he is our newest hero. We had a lot of help from principal Linda Huff and her assistant Dara Highland. The phone call took place in the principal's office where everyone gathered, including other teachers, public affairs officer Chris Weigel, the TV news and local newspaper reporters, the local government channel, and then John himself who came in with some of his bike riders. When I asked why he only requested $20,000 John said, "I was afraid if I asked for too much I wouldn't get it." So I made it $25,000 on the spot because John said the more bikes he can get, the more kids can ride. Everyone was thrilled and it was great to hear their joy and excitem/ent over the phone.