COBYS celebrates 25th Annual Bike & Hike

A release from COBYS, provided to Newsline by Douglas May

COBYS Family Services will hold its 25th annual Bike & Hike fundraising event on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12, at Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. The signature components of walking and riding bicycles or motorcycles continue. Group starts return this year and an updated route for the walkers, who will stroll through the Lititz business district on Main and Broad Streets, is being introduced. Families, friends, church groups, and riding clubs are encouraged to attend, line up sponsors to support their efforts or donate to the event.

People who have not participated before or heard about COBYS and its ministries of foster care, adoption, counseling, and family life education, are encouraged to attend. COBYS is affiliated with Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren. Motivated by Christian faith, it educates, supports, and empowers children and adults to reach their full potential. Located in Lancaster County, Pa., COBYS Family Services provides a range of foster care, adoption, permanency, family life education, and counseling services throughout the region.

*Participants in the 2020 COBYS Bike and Hike. Photo courtesy of COBYS*

Participants can choose from three modes of transportation and four routes:
— 3-mile walk through Lititz
— 10- or 25-mile bicycle ride through Lancaster County scenery
— 65-mile motorcycle ride through beautiful northern Lancaster County

There are three ways to participate in the Bike & Hike. First, people can attend the in-person event on Sept. 12. The second option is to “Walk or Ride Where You Are.” Choosing their own date, participants walk or ride on their own time, on the COBYS course or their own course. The third way is to donate to the 25th anniversary Kickstart Fund. In honor of the 25th year, COBYS has set a goal to raise $25,000 prior to the event on Sept. 12.

To raise awareness of this goal and get people excited to participate, executive director Mark Cunningham has competed in friendly competitions with some COBYS staff members. Videos of these events are being presented through email and Facebook posts and include background on the essential services provided by the organization. Videos, registration, fundraising progress information, and how to contribute to the Bike & Hike Kickstart Fund can be found at www.cobys.org/bike-and-hike.

Schedule for the event on Sept. 12:
12:30 p.m. – 65-mile Motorcycle Registration begins
1:30 p.m. – 65-mile Motorcycle Ride begins
1:30 p.m. – Walk & Bicycle Registration begins
2:00 p.m. – 25-mile Bike Ride begins
2:30 p.m. – Walk & 10-mile Bike Ride begin
Around 3:15 p.m. – Ice Cream Sundae Bar and Celebration

According to Cunningham, “Milestones like celebrating this event for 25 years allow us to reflect on the work we’ve done, the services we’ve provided and the lives we’ve positively impacted throughout the agency’s existence. Reflecting on the Bike & Hike event allows us to gratefully thank everyone who is participating this year, as well as all who have participated since we started this fundraiser a quarter century ago. Over $1.8 million has been raised through the Bike & Hike over that time span.”

Pre-registration for Bike & Hike is encouraged but not required. It can be done online at www.cobys.org/bike-and-hike, with a minimum donation of $25 before Sept. 5 or $30 after. Full event information is available on the website and participants can create their own online fundraising page to gain support from friends and family. To learn more visit www.cobys.org.

— Douglas May is communications and development manager for COBYS Family Services.

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