I trust you are all having an enjoyable summer. Instead of tennis news, I thought I would once again share what has become a highlight of our summer.
As many of you know, my wife Bonnie and I have biked all over the US, enjoying the privileges of good health and relatively strong bodies. We've biked from Boston to Niagara Falls, through out western North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway, all over New Hampshire, Vermont, Colorado, Western Connecticut, Washington, DC and Idaho.
Several years ago, our cycling took on new meaning, when we learned about a small charity bicycle ride in Wisconsin called Ceboride, which was named in honor of the young lady in the picture, Cebo. The proceeds from this ride support the children of Sarnelli House in Thailand, where Cebo and other children orphaned by AIDS and often infected themselves, are now thriving. Our daughter-in-law's uncle, Father Michael Shea, C.Ss.R, after working since 1966 in Thailand and Laos, opened Sarnelli House in 1999 for abandoned kids testing positive for HIV/AIDS (see Sarnelliorphanage.org).
Last year we went out for the ride in Wisconsin, and managed to complete the 126 miles ride, to our surprise. It was difficult but a wonderful experience with other committed riders. To our delight, our friends far and wide contributed generously. As a result of our growing understanding of the needs of the Sarnelli children, Bonnie (and I) now sponsor a young boy, Pong, who now writes to us weekly. Cebo is now growing up. A different rider wore Cebo's picture on his or her back on each leg of the ride as an inspiration to the other riders. Dave had the honor on one leg of the ride.
This year, CeboRide had to be held in June (Katie's sister, the founder, was due to give birth in August!) just as we began training our entire summer camp staff at Harvard. In its place, we decided to again hold our own “East Coast” Ceboride this Saturday, August 2.
If the spirit moves you, we hope you will support our ride for the children of Sarnelli House by sending a check to:
Friends of Sarnelli House UA
and sent to:
CeboRide Account Manager
Maggie Shea
N5350 Ledgetop Drive
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
100% of the donations are transferred directly to Sarnelli House. All donations are tax deductible.
This money will go directly to Father “Mike” and the children of the orphanage, with nothing taken out for expenses. We don't know of many charities that reduce suffering so directly among children. Please visit the web sites, call, e-mail or write us with questions. Online giving is safe and easy, but if you prefer, we'll send you a letter and an envelope if that is more convenient. Anything will be a great help.
Please keep us in your thoughts on Saturday, so we get back in one piece, but more importantly, we hope you will keep the children in your thoughts!
Sincerely,
Dave and Bonnie
PS. If you go to sarnelliorphanage.org and click on July updates, you can read what Fr. Mike’s days have been like since returning to Thailand. I think it will add depth to your day...DF
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