On June 1, Chuck Hall of Wilmington will start a cross-country bicycle ride that will cover nearly 4,000 miles in 52 days. His goal is to raise awareness, as well as $100,000, for the Mike Clark Legacy Foundation.
Clark was a friend and triathlete who served local Boys & Girls Clubs as a mentor, director and grant advisor for more than 30 years before he died unexpectedly in 2008.
“I guess my greatest challenge is I’ve ridden across states in America, but I have never ridden across America,” says Hall. “I enjoy biking, riding, and I enjoy meeting new people. It’s a great way to see America.”
The MCLF, a nonprofit created by Clark’s friends, funded the renovation of the Achievers Learning and Skills Centers at the H. Fletcher Brown Boys & Girls Club in Wilmington. The club serves about 80 youth, many whose families live below poverty level.
The centers within the club feature a state-of-the-art computer lab, academic mentoring programs and a new initiative that will introduce club members to computer programming. In 2012 the MCLF funded a similar project at the Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Club in Wilmington. The MCLF’s goal is to continue to renovate new Learning and Skills Centers at all Boys & Girls Clubs in Delaware. Hall says the next location may be in New Castle.
Hall is especially proud of the work being done at the H. Fletcher Brown center, where Wilmington Friends students mentor children about science, technology, engineering and math skills.
“I had the opportunity to observe this happening,” Hall says. “It is amazing what these students do with these kids. The kids just look up to them. It builds so much confidence in the students and self-esteem in these kids.” (bikeformikeskids.com)
