July 7, 2008—Cycling 40 miles (66 kilometers) in the desert heat of central Washington in the morning didn’t stop Liz Meyer from meeting with and serving the poor in the afternoon.
In fact, she did it twice last week—on Thursday and Friday, the first Sea to Sea community service projects where cyclists have the chance to partner with local agencies in serving the poor during the tour.
Meyer, who is riding Sea to Sea with her husband David, was quick to volunteer for the projects in Yakima and Sunnyside, saying they are an important part of the trip for her.
“Anytime you can connect the cause with an individual person, it makes the entire experience that much more meaningful,” said the 24-year-old from Chandler, Ariz.
In Sunnyside on Friday, July 4, Meyer and seven other riders made up one of two groups doing yard work for elderly residents in connection with Catholic Charities.
Meyer’s group worked at the home of a 79-year-old woman who lives by herself on a grape orchard.
“She’s unable to take care of her garden the way she would like so we trimmed her bushes and did some other clean up,” Meyer said. “She has no family so it was especially nice for us to be with her on the [Independence Day] holiday.”
One day earlier in Yakima, Meyer joined with 10 other cyclists at Union Gospel Mission, serving two meals; the first at 5:30 to underprivileged families and the second at 6:00 to hungry people living on the street.
Meyer enjoyed the opportunity to sit, talk and share a meal with a woman who had come in with her “two beautiful baby girls.”
“It was comfortable and casual,” Meyer said, “and she wanted to hear all about Sea to Sea. It was humbling to have people appreciate what we’re doing.”
A second project earlier in the day in Yakima involved another five cyclists helping distribute furniture to those in need, also with Union Gospel Mission.
Riders will have more opportunities to serve the poor along the ride, the next one is set for this Saturday in Boise, Idaho. Communities were selected based on what partnership opportunities could be organized on days when the distance cycled was relatively low.
See the full list: Service Projects
Serving those in need isn’t new for Meyer. At home, she volunteers at the public library teaching English-as-a-Second-Language classes.
“It’s always been important to me,” she said about helping others, “my mom taught me that.” And although she’s not a mother herself yet, Meyer said this is something she hopes to someday teach her kids.
--Sea to Sea Communications
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