Several hundred people took part in the second annual Pedal for Heroes in late February.
The effort raised about $15,000 for veterans’ causes through participants collecting pledges by riding on stationary bikes, walking, rowing and doing other fitness events at 11 different locations in Northeast Ohio.
Cassie Schumacher, organizer of the event, said participants were encouraged to bike or walk or row 276 minutes — one minute for every Ohioan killed overseas since Sept. 11, 2001.
Money will be split among Warriors’ Journey Home, Ghost Rider Foundation of Lake County and Pedal for Heroes.
Terry Singfield, 55, an Army veteran and a resident of Freedom House, a homeless shelter for veterans, was among the participants.
He pedaled for about three hours.
“It was hard,” said Singfield. “I was a little stiff the next three days from pedaling that long.”
Another participant, Army veteran Tim Wade, 23, a Streetsboro High School graduate who received a medical discharge in January for a combat-related injury, said the event was a great effort.
“I thought the fundraiser was an amazing event to help soldiers,” said Wade, who served in the 101st Airborne.
Wade, who works as a medical assistant at Akron Children’s Hospital, raised about $200 along with a friend.
“I have seen first hand the hurdles you have to jump to become a member of civilian life,” he said.
Schumacher, a counselor in Akron, said she would like to see the Pedal for Heroes event eventually held nationwide.
She will be taking part in the Race Across America this summer in June, a cross-country bike race, and plans to raise money for Pedal for Heroes during that event.
For more on Pedal for Heroes, go to www.pedalforheroesusa.org.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or at jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.