Kent State University Students Will Compete to Raise Funds for Veterans

Kent State University will compete against two other universities on Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. at the Student Recreational and Wellness Center to raise funds for Pedal for Heroes, an organization that helps support veterans and families of fallen soldiers from Ohio.

Kent State will compete against the University of Akron, Cleveland State University and several fitness facilities in Northeastern Ohio, at the second annual Pedal for Heroes fundraiser.  Students and participants will cycle for 276 minutes, representing one minute for every Ohio soldier who lost his or her life in the Middle East since Sept. 11, 2001. 

Cassie Schumacher, creator of Pedal for Heroes, says the event was created to get people physically active for a cause.

“I wanted to start an organization that could directly benefit veterans right here in our own community,” says Schumacher. “I think physical exercise is the best antidepressant, and a lot of veterans become inactive once they get out of service.”  

Participants will cycle on stationary bikes throughout the event. Schumacher says one of the main goals for the event is to get participants to commit to the entire 276 minutes.

Students and participants are asked to gather fundraising donations from friends and family. Pedal for Heroes’ participants may ask for a fixed amount of donations for each minute they ride.

At some local fitness facilities, participants may choose to walk, row, swim or run for the allotted time. Kent State students are encouraged to reach out to the Kent community to form teams. 

Teams are made up of four or five members. Interested participants may also compete solo. The university or fitness facility with the highest amount of donations raised will be featured on the Pedal for Heroes website. 

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Pedal for Heroes organization, which is dedicated to building awareness of veterans’ issues and raising funds for local veterans’ charities. Last year, more than $16,000 was raised by participating local fitness facilities.

For more information about the event and how to register, visit www.PedalForHeroesUSA.org.