Cycling Cross Country for Individuals with Disabilities

Hey all,

My name's Jorge Gadala-Maria and as part of making a positive change in communities around the country, I've embarked upon a challenge known as Journey of Hope run through an organization known as Push America. (www.pushamerica.org)  Throughout the time leading to the summer, I'll be raising money for Push America and training for a 64 day bike ride across the United States. Mid-June starting in San Francisco, California and ending in
Washington, DC, I will bike approximately 50-80 miles daily city-to-city
and then have "Friendship Visits" with individuals with disabilities,
focusing not on their disabilities, but rather their abilities.  The purpose of these friendship visits is to make a positive change in the communities by reaching out to those with disabilities and making their day that much brighter.  This event has been going on every summer since 1987 and I feel proud to say I'll be participating in it this year.

To the Fight with Tools community,

I set my fundraising goal at $6000 and I am very optimistic about reaching it. The only way I can do this is with your help. All the
money donated goes straight to Push America. I will be paying
for my flight to San Francisco, my bike,
the bike accessories, and anything else right out of my pocket. I have already spent about $1000 out of my own pocket to fund my training, bike, accessories, and fees.  I have raised about $2500 to date.

I hope you guys do not simply see this as another person simply asking for money.  You hear about people doing a half-marathon, a triathlon and all these great events for a cause, but I will be spending two months out of my summer riding everyday and meeting with these individuals, and promoting awareness across the country.

I strongly ask for your kind donations no matter how small they may be:

https://secure.pushamerica.org/jorgegadala-maria (via secure credit/debit card portal)
Text donations (same company utilized by the Haitian earthquake campaigns): "PUSH121" to 50555
Cash or check donations: please e-mail me at jgadala@gwmail.gwu.edu

I created my own website for this project that I ask you check out: www.jorgegadalamaria.com

Thank you very much for your time and I hope you consider helping out,
Jorge Gadala-Maria