The penultimate stop of their cross-country trek; “1,000 Miles for 1,000 Lights” Scott Hein & Todd Wilson will join local riders at River Saint Joe Brewery on September 24, 2024 at 6pm for an evening bike ride to help them reach their fundraising goal.
SUMMARY: For the second year in a row, Scott and Jessica Hein will be combining Scott’s passion for cycling and their mutual passion for Watts of Love by spearheading a unique fundraiser in a Movement to End Poverty. The aim is to raise $50,000 to provide personal solar lights and financial literacy training to 1,000 families living without electricity around the world. Scott along with Todd Wilson will ride 1,000 miles to raise funds and awareness. They will also be joined with other riders along the way which include riders from the Southwest Michigan area with the help of Bedlam Cycle Co. and River Saint Joe Brewery.
Riders are gathering on September 24th at River Saint Joe Brewery (15475 Walton Rd Buchanan, MI) at 6pm. Suggested donation for riders is $10. The event is rain or shine, however the ride portion will be canceled in case of rain.
BACKGROUND: Watts of Love is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in suburban Chicago. Their mission is to empower people to raise themselves out of the darkness of poverty, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to achieve self-worth and financial freedom. We have a vision to end generational poverty, and it starts with a solar light. Since 2013, Watts of Love has helped more than 134,000 families in more than 55 countries.
Solar light acts as a catalyst to change many aspects of our recipients’ lives. After receiving a personal solar light, recipients can save up to 30% of the money they would have spent on lighting. Their health can improve, and they have more educational and economic opportunities. Light enables children to study after dark, women to work and cook safely, families to stay connected and they can alert others in emergencies with the strobe function.
Watts of Love is tracking the success of their light recipients, and has been attributed to the reversal of child marriages in Malawi through providing financial freedom for families. Their patented solar lights are designed to last at least 10 years, so one solar light can keep up to 450 batteries per year per family from contaminating their soil and water.
QUOTE: “Jessica and I were introduced to Watts of Love through her business under Chalk Couture. As we learned more about the organization’s mission and the struggles of so many worldwide, we saw an opportunity to help. We began with donations on our own to Watts of Love. Jessica had the opportunity to distribute lights and teach financial literacy training in Malawi, Africa in 2022 and 2023 and then I went in 2024. We have both seen firsthand the impact we can have and realize how fortunate the life we live is. We have no way to truly understand the day-to-day challenges people who live in darkness face, but but we can see we are making a difference. Jessica and I are now aiming to make a bigger impact taking our passion for cycling and leveraging it as a platform to bring awareness to those who live in darkness and poverty on our second 1,000 miles for 1,000 lights ride this September.” Scott Hein
CALL TO ACTION:
To learn more about Watts of Love or show support, visit wattsoflove.org.
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Donations can be sent directly to the Michiana Bike Ride for Watts of Love through the link: DONATE HERE To participate in the September 24 2024 ride SIGN UP HERE
