Goshen Man Raising Money For uLEADRitch Hochstetler, president and CEO of uLEAD, has committed to paddle 60 miles of the Tippecanoe River from Rochester to Pulaski May 22-24.
uLEAD is a 501c3 non-profit leadership training organization serving schools, agencies and churches across the Midwest. Hochstetler's office is based in North Webster.
The organization creates unique leadership experiences for youth sixth grade to young adult, according to Hochstetler.
The faith-based organization was founded in 1999 originally to serve youth and young adults for spiritual growth and to become servant leaders. It serves churches, schools and agencies in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Hochstetler, 51, Goshen, is asking for sponsors to help him raise at least $3,000 ($50 per mile) for the sake of the youth-serving organization, schools and kids across a seven-county region.
The fundraiser will make it possible for uLEAD to provide staff development for students and mentors in Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble, Whitley, Allen, Wabash and Delaware counties.
Hochstetler said kayaking is his hobby, and he first kayaked when he was 30. As a child he also recalls taking canoe trips with his youth group in rivers in Michigan and Indiana.
"You're sitting right on the water in the kayak so you experience the river up close and personal as you are going under bridges where the business of the world is whisking past when you are kayaking," Hochstetler said.
Organizations to be served through the fundraiser include Goshen Middle School, leadership and character education; Wawasee High School, Student Leadership Program; Project Leadership Mentoring Program, staff development and asset development; and Big Brother Big Sister of Northeast Indiana, Recreation Program for Match Relationships.
One hundred percent of donations raised will be used for the programs listed and are tax deductible. Checks can be made out to uLead to P.O. Box 255, North Webster, IN 46555. In the memo line, put "Kayak For Kids".
Those with questions should e-mail Hochstetler at ritch@leadership3.org, call 574-529-1123 or visit the Web site at www.leadership3.org
