Press & Guide - Heritage Newspapers
Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Warrendale/West Detroit Sharing Information
Local
Trio Cycles to Grant Kids' Wishes
Wednesday July 2, 2003
On
July 25th through the 27th a team of cyclists will ride 300 miles from
Cheboygan to Metro Detroit to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
of Michigan.
This is the first
year Dearborn residents Marc Liljegren, Kim Ross, and Janice Eden have
attempted this grand endeavor; however the three are not new to social
activism. Last year the three successfully raised over $6,000 dollars
and walked 60 miles together to help find a cure for breast cancer in
the Avon Three Day. "It is a great way for us to spend time together
and to make a difference in the lives of others… It is a tradition
that I hope we can continue long into the future" said team member
Kim Ross.
The bike ride helps
to grant the wishes of Michigan children with life-threatening diseases.
It will allow a chance for these brave little people to realize their
dreams and focus on the special times created just for them. "This
is a great charity because so much of the money goes directly to the
children." remarked Janice Eden. The foundation hopes to raise
$600,000 from this event, enough to grant the wishes of over 90 children.
To inspire the riders,
each was paired with a child whose wish will be granted with the money
raised. Ezra, the Wish Hero to Marc Liljegren, is 6 years old, has Congenital
Muscular Dystrophy and is confined to a wheel chair. It is his wish
to go on a Disney Cruise. "To be able to, even in a small way,
enrich his human experience with hope, strength and joy, is an honor
to me because he has enriched mine." said Marc.
The team has been
training and fundraising since May. "ACO Hardware and Bikesport
of Dearborn have been so good to us. I don't think we could have done
this event without them" said Kim Ross "but we still have
a long way to go!"
To help the three
reach their fundraising goal, ACO Hardware has graciously allowed the
team to fundraise in front of their store July 4th, 5th, and 6th. In
addition, the team will be coordinating a bottle drive July 7th - July
10th. If you have empties to donate, you can call 313.359.7000 and schedule
a pickup, or drop them off at Intuitive Business Solutions, Inc. at
1110 N. Telegraph Rd. in Dearborn between the hours of 10:00am and 6:00pm.
