Pi Kappa Phi cyclists ride on a 'Journey of Hope'
-- Photo by LYNNE HALEY PSNI volunteers banter with Sandpoint Police Department’s Lt. Robert Dressel, center left, and School Resource Officer Spencer Smith, center right, while they wait for the cyclists to arrive.
—Photo by LYNNE HALEY Journey of Hope cyclists join their hosts in practicing some putts at the PSNI carnival Thursday.
—Photo by LYNNE HALEY Top left, Journey of Hope cyclists join their hosts in practicing some putts at the PSNI carnival Thursday. Top right, smiles were the order of the day as cyclists on a cross-country trek to raise awareness about people with special needs take a break in the photo booth with a PSNI participant, center. Above, Panhandle Special Needs Inc.participants cut a rug at the Journey of Hope barbecue Thursday.
-- Photo by LYNNE HALEY PSNI volunteers feed hungry Pi Kappa Phi cyclists Thursday as they stop into Sandpoint on their Journey of Hope.
-- Photo by LYNNE HALEY Smiles were the order of the day as cyclists on a cross-country trek to raise awareness about people with special needs take a break in the photo booth with a PSNI participant, center.
SANDPOINT — 'Tis the season for getting outdoors and enjoying time with friends, and Thursday provided just such an opportunity at Pandhandle Special Needs in Sandpoint, despite the somewhat liquid weather. The cross-country cycling team from Journey of Hope spun by on an annual trek from Seattle, Wash., to Washington, D.C., stopping for a midday friendship visit.
Journey of Hope is a project designed to forward the cause of people with disabilities. The riders forge a trail of acceptance and understanding across the nation while fundraising to support programs that benefit people with disabilities. Participants are members of the fraternity Pi Kappa Phi, which has branches on college campuses nationwide. Each of three 35-member teams begins its journey in a west coast city — Seattle, San Francisco or Los Angeles.
"Each rider has to raise $5,500 to participate in the ride," said Mike McBride, project manager for the Seattle group. "We raise over $600,000 for the trips, grants and projects. The cyclists train all year long to get ready for this."
Cyclists ride an average of 75 miles each day in order to reach Washington, D.C. by Aug. 13. Wednesday, the Seattle team was in Rathdrum Wednesday, and Friday rode on to Thompson Falls, Mont. During its stop in Sandpoint, the cyclists and their road crew joined PSNI participants, staff and community members for lunch and spent some quality time dancing, playing games and forming new friendships with the local group.
"Sandpoint is one of their favorite visits and always a great time," said Jean Post of PSNI. "Volunteers purchased brats, dogs and all the trimmings for the barbecue."
Several of the riders expressed their thanks for the wonderful reception prepared for them at PSNI, and they seemed just as excited as their hosts to come together for good food and an afternoon of activities already set up on the grounds.
"We've been having a great time," said Kevin Cohn, publicity coordinator for the ride.
For further information, or to make a donation, contact psni@nctv.com or call 263-7022.