Syracuse Bicyclist Riding100 Miles For Riley Kids
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
The Indiana University junior is helping to kick off a major fundraising push for this year’s Indiana University Dance Marathon, which raises money to support the efforts and programs of Riley, according to a press from Schmahl forwarded by Riley Children’s Foundation.
Schmahl, 21, is a member of the IU Dance Marathon and today marks 100 days before the annual 36-hour philanthropic extravaganza, and the beginning of an accelerated effort to expand awareness and financial support for the event, the release states.
Known as the 100 Day Challenge, each of the over 800 members of the IUDM committee seeks to secure contributions of at least $100, raising upward of $80,000 in one 24-hour period. The proceeds from this event are incorporated into the year-long fundraising efforts of the organization, which will be totaled and revealed during the finale of the actual Dance Marathon Nov. 4-6 in Bloomington.
Schmahl, an avid cyclist and member of Sigma Nu fraternity’s Little 500 Team, will pedal through Indiana’s farmlands and small towns, a trek that will culminate with the delivery of a symbolic teddy bear to one of Riley’s young patients, the release states.
“The 100 Day Challenge is a huge milestone in the year-round effort of the IUDM organization,” according to Schmahl in his press release. “It serves as a very real reminder of how quickly the actual Dance Marathon is approaching and it’s a day for all those involved to celebrate and share the hope, joy and love that is a part of IUDM and Riley Hospital for Children.”
Schmahl planned to depart Syracuse at sunrise today. His route south will follow mostly country roads. Once he enters Marion County, a support vehicle will escort him on his final push to Riley, which is located on the IU School of Medicine campus in downtown Indianapolis. He expects the ride to take about eight hours.
“I am excited to combine my passion for cycling with my personal commitment to the young patients at Riley and to those who provide care for them. These brave kids face health challenges that we can’t begin to fathom. I am inspired by them and I humbly dedicate my ride to their care and recovery. Hopefully I can raise some awareness and maybe people will be inspired to donate to IUDM. It’s for the kids,” he said in the press release.
Indiana University Dance Marathon aims to inspire and educate the members of its organization and surrounding community with the goal of providing funds for Riley Hospital for Children, the release states. It is the second largest student-run organization in the country and remain all-inclusive for all individuals who want to make a difference for Riley Hospital for Children. It provides funding for the Wells Center for Pediatric Research, and clinical support for Riley Hospital for Children.
Dance Marathon is a multi-hour, multi-faceted event that blends dancing, games, crafts, food and fun into one massive philanthropic experience, according to the release. Students are on their feet the entire duration of the marathon as they stand for the kids at Riley. In 2015, IUDM generated over $3.8 million through private and corporate donations in support of Riley, and have provided more than $24 million in funds for the hospital since the first dance marathon in 1991.
For more information on the Indiana University Dance Marathon, visit www.iudm.org
For more information about Riley Hospital for Children, visit www.rileychildrens.org
To donate to Michael Schmahl’s IUDM campaign, visit http://donate.rileykids.org/goto/michaelschmahl[[In-content Ad]]
The Indiana University junior is helping to kick off a major fundraising push for this year’s Indiana University Dance Marathon, which raises money to support the efforts and programs of Riley, according to a press from Schmahl forwarded by Riley Children’s Foundation.
Schmahl, 21, is a member of the IU Dance Marathon and today marks 100 days before the annual 36-hour philanthropic extravaganza, and the beginning of an accelerated effort to expand awareness and financial support for the event, the release states.
Known as the 100 Day Challenge, each of the over 800 members of the IUDM committee seeks to secure contributions of at least $100, raising upward of $80,000 in one 24-hour period. The proceeds from this event are incorporated into the year-long fundraising efforts of the organization, which will be totaled and revealed during the finale of the actual Dance Marathon Nov. 4-6 in Bloomington.
Schmahl, an avid cyclist and member of Sigma Nu fraternity’s Little 500 Team, will pedal through Indiana’s farmlands and small towns, a trek that will culminate with the delivery of a symbolic teddy bear to one of Riley’s young patients, the release states.
“The 100 Day Challenge is a huge milestone in the year-round effort of the IUDM organization,” according to Schmahl in his press release. “It serves as a very real reminder of how quickly the actual Dance Marathon is approaching and it’s a day for all those involved to celebrate and share the hope, joy and love that is a part of IUDM and Riley Hospital for Children.”
Schmahl planned to depart Syracuse at sunrise today. His route south will follow mostly country roads. Once he enters Marion County, a support vehicle will escort him on his final push to Riley, which is located on the IU School of Medicine campus in downtown Indianapolis. He expects the ride to take about eight hours.
“I am excited to combine my passion for cycling with my personal commitment to the young patients at Riley and to those who provide care for them. These brave kids face health challenges that we can’t begin to fathom. I am inspired by them and I humbly dedicate my ride to their care and recovery. Hopefully I can raise some awareness and maybe people will be inspired to donate to IUDM. It’s for the kids,” he said in the press release.
Indiana University Dance Marathon aims to inspire and educate the members of its organization and surrounding community with the goal of providing funds for Riley Hospital for Children, the release states. It is the second largest student-run organization in the country and remain all-inclusive for all individuals who want to make a difference for Riley Hospital for Children. It provides funding for the Wells Center for Pediatric Research, and clinical support for Riley Hospital for Children.
Dance Marathon is a multi-hour, multi-faceted event that blends dancing, games, crafts, food and fun into one massive philanthropic experience, according to the release. Students are on their feet the entire duration of the marathon as they stand for the kids at Riley. In 2015, IUDM generated over $3.8 million through private and corporate donations in support of Riley, and have provided more than $24 million in funds for the hospital since the first dance marathon in 1991.
For more information on the Indiana University Dance Marathon, visit www.iudm.org
For more information about Riley Hospital for Children, visit www.rileychildrens.org
To donate to Michael Schmahl’s IUDM campaign, visit http://donate.rileykids.org/goto/michaelschmahl[[In-content Ad]]
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