Our goal is to help MIRA USA by raising the money required to pair one student with a MIRA guide dog . . . $60,000 for a trained guide dog and all the expenses associated with an intensive 30 days of training at MIRA Canada for the student with their dog. MIRA guide dogs give their partners the independence and freedom to explore life and learning with a trusted companion.

After 1,000 miles of cycling over the last two summers in Canada and the US, a unique opportunity has presented itself to cycle AND help MIRA bring independence to students through guide dogs.

Our story is simple, yet rich. Like so many of the students MIRA serves, our daughter, Madeline, who is legally blind, has flourished and is getting ready to head off to high school. We recently learned about MIRA and the opportunity they give students to partner with a MIRA guide dog. MIRA USA is the only organization within the US to serve the blind student population between the ages of 11-17 .

We are so impressed with the priceless gift MIRA gives children that we are launching a one-day, 50 mile round trip bike ride from Washington, DC to Mt. Vernon, to help MIRA meet their goal this year of matching 8 students with MIRA guide dogs.

Join us! Ride, Cheer us on, Contribute, or do all three!

               Saturday, September 15, 2012.

Commit to ride with us, contact Steve Link at stephen.link@rcn.com for a registration form and more details. Ride in Washington, DC or your local community. We simply ask all riders to consider raising a suggested minimum of $1,000 toward our collective goal of $60,000. To cheer us on, check back here for updates, and or send a note of encouragement for the riders to stephen.link@rcn.com.

Pedals for Paws  Registration Form, Medical Form, Release and Waiver of Liability click to download.

Contribute online or for those of who wish to contribute by check,
make payable to MIRA Foundation, and mail to:
112 N. Poplar Street, Aberdeen, NC 28315
To make a pledge, please call the office at 910.944.7757 for assistance.
MIRA Foundation is a 501c3 tax exempt non-profit organization, tax
id# 26-3603779.
*Please note in comment box or memo line, that you are contributing to the DC Bike Ride, thanks.

Many thanks in advance for making a difference
in the lives of some very special students!

Click here to contribute and bring the MIRA guide dog to life!

“It’s a pleasure to donate to such a great cause!” – Larry “This is just SOOOO inspiring!!” – Steven “It’s great that you are doing this!” – Robert “I’m in and excited. Nice to have a new cause to ride for.” – Gary “I contributed to this wonderful cause. Keep up the good work.” – Michael “Thanks…good cause, I am with you Kathy and Maddie.” – Sandra “Wishing you all the best for such a worthy cause!” – Jacqueline   Thanks to Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza!   Special Thanks to Amy Carrier for a fabulous BBQ luncheon on the route.