Cycling across America for warm beds and full bellies
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- Robert and Bliss Sawyer will celebrate their 40th anniversary by cycling across the United States, raising money for Habitat for Humanity and Tabitha’s Way Food Pantries.
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- Robert and Bliss Sawyer will celebrate their 40th anniversary by cycling across the United States, raising money for Habitat for Humanity and Tabitha’s Way Food Pantries.
Photo courtesy of Robert and Bliss Sawyer
Robert and Bliss Sawyer will celebrate their 40th anniversary by cycling across the United States, raising money for Habitat for Humanity and Tabitha's Way Food Pantries.
Some people ride their bikes around the block or on local trails. But, one Utah couple is about to ride their bikes for 4,000 miles. Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep and enough food to eat. That belief is the catalyst for the adventure that Bliss and Robert Sawyer will embark on as they celebrate 40 years of marriage by spreading hope across the U.S.A. on their bikes and by raising money to help others.
“We have done quite a bit of cycle touring and across the U.S. seemed like a big challenge we wanted to accomplish,” Bliss Sawyer said. “Then realizing we could start on our 40th anniversary from where we met, Bellingham, Washington, was a bit serendipitous.
The cycling will not only be an exciting challenge, but will also be a way to raise money for two causes that are important to the Sawyers – Habitat for Humanity and Tabitha’s Way Food Pantry.
“I chose Habitat for Humanity because I have worked in the housing industry for 35 years and this charity is close to my heart,” Bliss Sawyer said. “Robert chose Tabitha’s Way because he started volunteering there after retiring four years ago.”
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization which works to build affordable housing for those in need. Tabitha’s Way Food Pantries is a local organization that helps people who are experiencing food insecurity. There are pantries in Pleasant Grove, Spanish Fork, and Saratoga Springs.
Photo courtesy of Robert and Bliss Sawyer
Robert and Bliss Sawyer will celebrate their 40th anniversary by cycling across the United States, raising money for Habitat for Humanity and Tabitha's Way Food Pantries.
Money will be raised from sponsorships and donations, according to Bliss Sawyer. “We are also doing a fun bike bingo game for everyone that donates, prizes included,” she said. With a minimum donation of $25 to either charity, donors can play bike bingo and be part of the cycling adventure.
The Sawyers’ goal is to raise $100,000 for the two organizations. So far, about $17,000 has been raised. The couple is paying for 100 percent of their own expenses for the ride. So, all donations will directly support the two causes.
The Sawyers’ Hope Across the USA ride will begin on June 20 in Bellingham, Washington. They will ride coast-to-coast, ending up in New Jersey. “We are taking the northern route which is 4,000 miles and 142,000 feet of climbing. Follow this coast-to-coast ride through our website, blog and social media. See where we’ve been, where we’re headed next, and how far we’ve come,” it reads on the website.
Information about sponsorships, donations, their cycling blog and the bingo game can be found on their website, www.hopeacrosstheusa.com. To follow on social media, go to Bliss Sawyer on Facebook, @blisssawyer on Instagram or TikTok and @HopeAcrosstheUSA on YouTube.
