In late September, 23 riders from 12 Minnesota Community Action agencies, one state agency and the Minnesota Community Action Association rode their bicycles over 150 miles in 2 days to celebrate 45 years of Community Action in Minnesota and raise funds for CAP-PAC. Riders represented the entire state of Minnesota and many of the programs that Community Action provides throughout the state.
The bike ride enabled Community Action to rally around an event that created positive energy despite challenging economic times. Staff at individual agencies got together in their free time to plan and launch fun fundraising events like potluck lunches and ice cream socials. The riders gathered for months of training rides across the state, combining the talent of experienced cyclists with the enthusiasm of new riders to ensure a successful group ride in the fall. These same riders bonded during the 2-day ride in September, laughing together, bemoaning hills, encouraging each other, and celebrating together. The riders forged new friendships based on a commitment to the bike ride and the important work they do every day in Community Action.
Through the planning, biking and fundraising activities, the Minnesota Community Action network repeatedly heard about the importance of advocacy and political participation, and hundreds of new donors and advocates were recruited to help ensure the future of Community Action. The Minnesota Community Action Bike Ride was the single largest fundraising event in the CAP-PAC’s 27 year history. The event was a huge success and raised over $22,000 for CAP-PAC.