Barrington area cycling team embarks on 3,100 mile ride to combat father absence
Four fathers and avid cyclists will cycle 3,100 miles across eleven states to raise awareness and funds for father absence, as well as fathers raising children with special needs. The 21st Century Dads Foundation (21CD) and Illinois Fatherhood Initiative (IFI), both IRS recognized 501 (c) 3 organizations, are joining together to raise funds crucial to combat the burgeoning problem of father absence, a leading socio-economic issue in the U.S. today. Also, they are riding to bring attention to fathers raising children with special needs.
The "Dads Honor Ride" team is one of 10 four-person teams competing in the annual Race Across America (RAAM) ultra-cycling event now in its 41st year. RAAM starts on Saturday, June 17th in Oceanside, CA and ends in Annapolis, MD. The DHR team hopes to finish on June 24.
21CD & IFI are holding a kickoff event at 6 pm on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Miguel's Cocina (5980 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA) for local supports and families raising children with special needs. They are also planning a celebratory event at Noon on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Mission BBQ (2503 Evergreen Road, Annapolis, MD) for local supporters and families raising children with special needs.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are approximately 19.7 million children in the U.S. growing up without a father in the home and approximately 3 million children under the age of 18 living with special needs.
Since 2015, 21st Century Dads Foundation (21CD) has had immeasurable impact on fathers raising children with special needs. Through mentoring initiatives, conferences, podcasts, research and information, collaborative programs, social media groups, and its Special Fathers Network, 21CD has been at the forefront of illuminating the stories of fathers and families raising children with special needs.
Since 1997, Illinois Fatherhood Initiative (IFI) has been raising awareness to help stave off the burgeoning crisis of father absence--a leading socio-economic issue which our nation continues to face. Father absence is pervasive and adversely effects the communities in which we live. Through its collaborative efforts with partners like 21CDF and others, as well as its signature Father of The Year essay contest, which has involved more than 425,000 Illinois students, IFI deepens awareness and understanding of the place fathers and father-figures hold in our lives.
Together, both 21CD and IFI are leading and transforming the national conversation on what it means for fathers to be; financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually present in the lives of children of all abilities.
Cyclist David Hirsch, who founded both the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative and 21st Century Dads Foundation and is currently president of the Foundation explains, "We're riding to bring attention to these important father-related issues and honor fathers across the nation, especially since the race will take place on Fathers-Day this year. A child's life is infinitely more enriched, safe and empowered with a father or father-figure actively participating in his or her life."
Cyclist Scot Marcotte, president of the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative, echoes Hirsch's message, "We're riding to raise awareness and critical funding needed to help fathers and father-figures be more engaged, present and effective in their children's lives, knowing in turn, it will help them raise children who are also more engaged, present and effective in their own lives and in society."
Hirsch and Marcotte will be joined by cyclists Ryan Aydelott and Mikolaj Topicha-Dolny and a crew of twelve, lead by William Medina, including members of Theta Xi Fraternity as well as Topicha-Dolny's son from Warsaw, Poland. Hirsch's son, Charlie and Marcotte's daughter, Stephanie are also members of the support crew.
You can sponsor a rider or the team, or even honor your own father as well by making a fully tax-deductible charitable donation at https://www.dadshonorride.com.