Day 1 Complete!
DO Engineering Solutions Director Michael Cook kicked off his 326-mile ride yesterday to raise $30,000 to rehabilitate four hand pumps in Malawi. He rode over 73 miles, mostly uphill, and met some great people along the way.
Yesterday, Michael met Jim and Trish from Lebanon, Ohio, and Dr. Tom Vogel, also from Lebanon, and shared why he’s riding with 50 pounds of gear for five days. Trish, he says, “has a heart for Africa,” having traveled to Kenya and Sierra Leone and even hosted an exchange student from South Africa. And Dr. Vogel, a wildlife biologist, chiropractor and Eagle Scout, was also a fellow Purdue alumnus.
Michael also had some familiar faces cheering him on. His son, Landon, and several coworkers joined him for part of the ride, and everyone gathered for lunch with his biggest supporter—his wife, Rebecca.
Today, he heads from Greene County Campground in Xenia to Westerville for another day on the trail. And tonight, he’ll be staying at a very special “campground.” Stay tuned for more updates! To support Michael’s ride and help bring safe water to four communities in Malawi, visit here.
