How to go
What: 100-Mile Bike Ride
Where: Route from Troy to Milford
When: Begins at 6 a.m. Friday, June 6
Donations: By pledges or by check
More info: 937-233-2484 or www.faithandfriendsradio.com
On this 100-mile bike tour, the most important part is the detour. For the past 15 years, Faith & Friends Radio co-founders Melody Morris and Bill Nance have organized a charity bike-a-thon for the Dayton Gospel Mission.
Pedaling for this 16th year begins at 6 a.m. on Friday, June 6. It starts along the levy by the Senior Citizens Center at 134 N. Market St. in Troy. The southward journey will end at approximately 6 p.m. in Milford, with a pitstop at the Dayton Gospel Mission around 8:45 a.m.
“When we arrive in Dayton, we will detour to the Gospel Mission, where Ken Clarkston will have fruit, donuts and juice for the riders,” said Morris. “Last year we raised between $4,000 and $5,000 to help support their programs.”
That detour off the trail to 64 Burns Ave. is important, as it highlights the reason behind the yearly event. Over the years, the radio station’s ongoing support has raised about $100,000 for the charity.
“We’re a missionary church organization and don’t take government funding, so we’re always very appreciative of any contribution that comes in,” said Clarkston, a chaplain who’s directed the Dayton Gospel Mission for the past 28 years. “Faith & Friends put a tremendous amount of work into the bike-a-thon, and it’s a big bonus for us. We use the funds for our food ministry and our 40-acre ranch in Greene County.”
The inner-city mission’s motto is “To God be the Glory.” The mission operates The King’s Table restaurant, Camp Jabez, God’s Gym, God’s Warehouse and Nehemiah University for adults and youth. Services are held every Sunday morning at The Nehemiah Chapel.
“We really believe in the work that the Gospel Mission does. It’s been in business for 102 years, so they have great track record,” said Morris. “It’s a really healthy thing to do. We enjoy supporting organizations in our own back yard.”
Morris and Nance invite others to obtain pledges and participate in this charitable event. They constantly train for this yearly trip, and they realize that not everyone is capable of biking the full 100 miles. They suggest participants bike only portions of the route. People can join in and leave at any point along the way: Troy to Dayton, east to Beavercreek and Xenia, and south along the Little Miami Scenic Trail to Milford.
The entire hour-by-hour itinerary and pledge forms will be available on the website, faithandfriendsradio.com, by May 9.
“We’re not speedy, but we’re steady at about twelve miles per hour. Most often Bill Nance and I will ride tandem,” said Morris. “Altogether, it’s about 101.2 miles, but who’s counting?”
The number of riders who join in have varied over the years. In the past, they’ve had as many as 25 riders at times, with about 10 going the entire distance. They try to keep the whole group together.
“We really encourage people to come out and do whatever they can do, because that way they have ownership of their contribution,” said Morris. “People want to feel a part of the group, and there’s a lot of camaraderie with others who enjoy biking.”
Those who don’t enjoy the sport can help out in another way. Checks payable to Dayton Gospel Mission can be sent directly to the radio station at Faith & Friends Radio, Box 24855, Dayton, OH 45424. In fact, most of the money raised for this event comes in the form of outside donations.
“Every penny raised goes to support the Mission, and it’s tax-deductible,” said Morris. “We collect all of the checks and give a formal presentation at one of the Gospel Mission’s chapel services. That way we get to meet some of the clients, and they can see that people really do care about them.”
Morris and Nance gave up traditional Christian radio positions three years ago to embark upon this new adventure in Internet radio. The Faith & Friends stand-alone broadcast facility is located in Morris’ hometown of Huber Heights. Nance lives in Bellbrook. They co-host a live morning program, blending contemporary Christian tunes with traditional hymns.
“We’re dedicated to this business 24/7, and we’re getting ready to celebrate our third anniversary,” said Morris. “We have a wonderful staff of deejays, and the station has seen incredible growth. Our programs are heard in 125 countries now.”
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