KCV Cycling Donates To New Ride, Walk Fund
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
The money will go toward matching funds needed for the recent K21 Health Foundation’s 3-1 matching grant of $375,000 for the community’s Ride and Walk project on East Market Street, according to a release from the organization.
The project includes the addition of a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly trail design, helping to eventually connect trails in Warsaw and Winona Lake.
“Although we’re a small non-profit, fully run by volunteers, we have a large mission focused on helping the community through our shared passion for bicycling,” said Greg Demopoulos, KCV president. “It is an honor to be able to donate to a community initiative we are so proud of. It’s ultimately what we want to do as an organization – raise awareness for the benefits of bicycling, offer activities and education to help improve community health and encourage others in the community to join us in raising funds to build trails and provide access to the infrastructure needed to make our community a better place to live, work, and play.”
The Ride and Walk Fund held in partnership with K21 Health Foundation will allow for organizations and individuals to donate toward future infrastructure and education improvements outlined by the Ride and Walk Master Plan.
In 2012, the Ride and Walk Master Plan was developed through several public input meetings in coordination with the Indiana Department of Health, the city of Warsaw and the town of Winona Lake.
“Our hope is that our entire community embraces whatever healthy living opportunities are available to them and interests them. Supporting the progress through advocacy, financial donations, volunteerism and lifestyle commitments are important for everyone to provide a vibrant community,” said Rich Haddad, K21 Health Foundation president and CEO. “The persistent grassroots efforts of Kosciusko County Velo have been the catalyst for the Indiana Department of Health planning grant that funded our current Ride and Walk Master Plan. They have also been foundational to the significant progress we have made over the past three years to develop and grow our Ride and Walk infrastructure,” said Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer. “Private donations from individuals and organizations are most critical to assist as match funds to leverage public allocations and grant opportunities. The growth of our community trail system has gained tremendous momentum. It is now up to all of us to sustain that growth.”
“Ride and Walk Warsaw and Winona Lake is about making it as safe, easy and fun as possible to get from here to there. KCV does a wonderful job of ‘getting the wheels rolling,’ and when those riders want to integrate bikes further into their daily routine, we have a great team of partners working together to make that possible,” said Tim Dombrosky, Warsaw assistant city planner and Ride and Walk Warsaw and Winona Lake coordinator. “The challenges that come with this integration are as diverse as the members of our community, and it takes a village (and a city) to make it happen.”
Donations can be made to the Ride and Walk Fund through the Ride and Walk Warsaw and Winona Lake website at www.ridewalk.com or through the K21 Health Foundation website at www.k21foundation.org
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The money will go toward matching funds needed for the recent K21 Health Foundation’s 3-1 matching grant of $375,000 for the community’s Ride and Walk project on East Market Street, according to a release from the organization.
The project includes the addition of a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly trail design, helping to eventually connect trails in Warsaw and Winona Lake.
“Although we’re a small non-profit, fully run by volunteers, we have a large mission focused on helping the community through our shared passion for bicycling,” said Greg Demopoulos, KCV president. “It is an honor to be able to donate to a community initiative we are so proud of. It’s ultimately what we want to do as an organization – raise awareness for the benefits of bicycling, offer activities and education to help improve community health and encourage others in the community to join us in raising funds to build trails and provide access to the infrastructure needed to make our community a better place to live, work, and play.”
The Ride and Walk Fund held in partnership with K21 Health Foundation will allow for organizations and individuals to donate toward future infrastructure and education improvements outlined by the Ride and Walk Master Plan.
In 2012, the Ride and Walk Master Plan was developed through several public input meetings in coordination with the Indiana Department of Health, the city of Warsaw and the town of Winona Lake.
“Our hope is that our entire community embraces whatever healthy living opportunities are available to them and interests them. Supporting the progress through advocacy, financial donations, volunteerism and lifestyle commitments are important for everyone to provide a vibrant community,” said Rich Haddad, K21 Health Foundation president and CEO. “The persistent grassroots efforts of Kosciusko County Velo have been the catalyst for the Indiana Department of Health planning grant that funded our current Ride and Walk Master Plan. They have also been foundational to the significant progress we have made over the past three years to develop and grow our Ride and Walk infrastructure,” said Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer. “Private donations from individuals and organizations are most critical to assist as match funds to leverage public allocations and grant opportunities. The growth of our community trail system has gained tremendous momentum. It is now up to all of us to sustain that growth.”
“Ride and Walk Warsaw and Winona Lake is about making it as safe, easy and fun as possible to get from here to there. KCV does a wonderful job of ‘getting the wheels rolling,’ and when those riders want to integrate bikes further into their daily routine, we have a great team of partners working together to make that possible,” said Tim Dombrosky, Warsaw assistant city planner and Ride and Walk Warsaw and Winona Lake coordinator. “The challenges that come with this integration are as diverse as the members of our community, and it takes a village (and a city) to make it happen.”
Donations can be made to the Ride and Walk Fund through the Ride and Walk Warsaw and Winona Lake website at www.ridewalk.com or through the K21 Health Foundation website at www.k21foundation.org
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