The Ride for Missing Children...More than a Ride Part I

Hundreds of cyclist join together under the orchestration and organization of another hundred people to ride one-hundred miles to raise awareness of our missing and exploited children AND to increase awareness and educate the communities they ride through. Our days starts at 5 a.m. and usually concludes twelve hours later. It is a long, emotional, and amazing day. This ride, evidence of God's love for His children.

Most of the riders, volunteers, and organizers have taken vacation and personal time in order to participate in today's ride. Families of our missing gathered last night for a family dinner to welcome new families, reconnect with others, and lean on each other as we all know and understand the importance of events like this. I pray this initiative and mission spreads to other branches of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It isn't about raising money, but instead the focus is on the children ~ a necessary and important place to direct our attention. I'm thankful my cousin invited me to attend in 2008, it has been amazing and the people I've met continue to be such blessings in our lives. Thank you all so much.

At this time there are five Rides for Missing Children in New York State. If you are interested in starting something like this in your area or state, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offices in New York for more information. I'm sure they would love to help ignite a campaign of rides across the country to raise awareness for our missing, keep our children safe, and share hope with those in need.

As the ride progresses today I plan to take pictures and post them to Facebook in hopes those not able to attend might enjoy in this powerful day. Share an encouraging word with the riders, volunteers, and families attending the 2013 Ride for Missing Children below...