What motivates someone to bicycle 900 miles
in 15 days? The chance to save more
children's futures through mentoring.

For a milestone 5th consecutive year, Minnesotan John Elder and others will hit the open road on their bikes to raise awareness of the Kids ‘n Kinship program.

The mentor rides again! This May, local businessman John Elder will once more become a spokesperson on wheels when he embarks on his fifth annual 900-mile bicycle ride benefitting his personal passion: mentoring. The 900-mile Christian Elder Memorial 900 bicycle ride raises money for Kids ‘n Kinship, a local non-profit organization that matches kids ages 5-16 with volunteer mentors.

This year the five riders – including the first-ever female participant – will begin their trek on May 27th. Their itinerary will lead them through Iowa and Nebraska, and will conclude in Apple Valley on June 12th. The riders, who have been training all year for this experience, will once again be accompanied on their journey by support driver Gordy Clough.

An online road diary will chronicle their journey which always includes plenty of remarkable places and interesting people. Elder’s goal is to reach $30,000 in donations and pledges. “Children are such a valuable asset for our future. During hard economic times, it’s critical that we don’t lose sight of how important causes such as this are,” says Elder.  All donations go straight to Kids ‘n Kinship, serving children in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount for 38 years. Currently, 68 youth are on the organization’s waiting list for mentors.  

In addition to Elder, this year’s riders are:
Dennis Hill, Bloomington, MN (entire 900 miles with Elder, fourth year)
Kathy Kelley, Chaska, MN (first 300 miles, first year)
Bob Benda, Ft. Worth, TX (first 300 miles, second year)
Jay Saterbak, Prior Lake, MN (second 300 miles, second year)
Bob Porter, Phoenix, AZ (third 300 miles, second year)

Elder, who has mentored 17-year-old Dante for six years, says “You don’t need a lot of experience to have a significant impact on a young person’s life.” It is this impact that fuels Elder’s passion for the bike riding fundraiser, which is named in memory of John and wife Sherry’s son who died unexpectedly in 2007. “It’s amazing what a mentor can do in a young person’s life and, in turn, what the young person can do for you.”

“People don't give of themselves to this extent if it wasn't of critical importance to them,” comments Kids ‘n Kinship Director Jan Belmore. “John is a role model not just to a youth, but also to other role models. The mentors in our program admire him; people in the community see him as someone who has taken enormous steps to support something he believes in. John and his team have inspired so many others to volunteer.”

This year’s ride will end at Merchants Bank in Apple Valley, the primary corporate sponsor for the event. “Merchants Bank has been a wonderful supporter of the community. They have been have been here for us and for the kids,” comments Elder. The riders will be greeted by a gala carnival-like celebration including entertainment, local dignitaries, and plenty of refreshments.

At age 63, Elder hopes to continue riding for many more years but adds, “I like to think that we’ve reached a point where this ride will survive me and will continue to benefit Kids ‘n Kinship far into the future.”

Belmore agrees. “The CEM funding has been so important,” she explains. “When John first began this ride five years ago, the program was losing a major source of funding.  Without the money raised that year and in subsequent years, we would not have been able to make our budget and fewer kids would have gotten mentors.  This bike ride has created greater awareness in corporate circles through the team’s corporate sponsorships, and more people in general have learned about Kids 'n Kinship over the past five years than we would ever have had the possibility of reaching otherwise.”