“Where’s Ray”  A Fundraising Campaign

August 3, 2009

Week 7 – Michigan, Ontario and New York

Mr. Ray Tarrach and his fellow riders have entered the Eastern Time Zone. They continue their commitment to finishing their bike ride through North America.  They biked this past week through Michigan and Ontario (Canada) and entered New York. As of August 6, 2009, Ray completed 46 days of his 50-day fundraising bicycle ride for the benefit of Character Counts! Kent County. To date he has traveled 3,316 miles through nine states: Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and this week through Ontario (Canada) and on to New York. Our non-profit organization is pleased to continue to share updates on Ray’s journey.

Mr. Tarrach continued through New York on August 6; the past days riding through the Michigan: Port Huron (84 mi), in Ontario through London  (72 mi), and Brantford (64 mi), and New York through Niagara Falls (74 mi). Ray said that he had been really looking forward to the rest day on August 3, in Niagara Falls, so that he could once again enjoy the scenery of the falls. Ray’s challenging day is today with the climb 1,950 feet. On August 4th, Ray continued in the state of New York through Rochester (80 mi), Syracuse (83) and then to Little Falls (85 miles). Please visit www.cckentmd.org for fantastic details of the trip and very interesting stories. All Daily Team Journal entries give you so much information about the interesting geographical features of each city and its people.

In the recent “Daily Team Journal” postings, Ray can be seen on the following postings. There are two more pictures of Ray on Post 31- Fond du Lac 5th picture - 2nd from left - sitting - has on a black shirt, sandals and
the 17th picture - 9th from left - sitting - has on a black shirt, sandals and holding a yellow shirt. These two pictures are part of the T-shirt swap.
Also, Post 34 - Birch Run, MI - 2nd picture - The Alma Bakery - Ray is the 1st person on the left, and, Post 36 - London, Ontario - 11th picture (group shot) - Ray is the 5th person from the left in the third row. By August 6, Ray will have traveled 3,316 miles, with just over 300 miles remaining. Especially challenging this week will be August 9 through Manchester, New Hampshire. This day will feature a climb of 6,130 feet, the highest, just before the finishing day. On August 10th, in Portsmouth, NH, Mr. Tarrach and his fellow riders will dip the front wheels of their bikes to celebrate the end of their trip.

Mr. Tarrach’s demonstrated all the six Pillars of Character Counts! everyday throughout his bike ride. We invite the community, including children, to come out on August 14th to the Fountain Park in Chestertown at 12:00 noon to cheer and thank Mr. Ray Tarrach for completing his 50-day, 3,639 mile ride across North America towards raising funds for Character Counts! We will have Character Counts! balloons and Rita’s ices will be present to help celebrate.