Meet the 2016 Ride4Life Team!

It is that time again! A fantastic team of riders and SAG drivers are geared up and ready to tackle Ride4Life 2016. This year brings a new route and new faces to the Ride, and participants are sure to develop deep friendships, fond memories, and a heartfelt passion for the mission of life on their journey! 

Our team will be leaving on Friday, September 23rd and will be covering 250 miles along the Lake Michigan shore in 2.5 days. We would like to introduce you to our 2016 Ride4Life team, and ask for your prayers and support and we get ready to ride! 

Cindy Rockwood

I am excited to be participating in the Ride4Life. I became aware of LPC and the Ride4Life several years ago when a coworker, Diane Meyerholtz, participated as a support person for the ride. After contributing to her support, I am now taking up the challenge to participate in the ride and raise my own support for this very worthy cause.

The pro-life cause has always been important to me. I worked almost 40 years with special needs children and their families, and I feel that all lives are special. When an unplanned/unexpected pregnancy occurs, that baby is also special and deserves a chance at life. Raising a child is not easy, and as a single parent for many years I realize that at time the extra help and assistance is needed. By doing this ride, and raising support, I hope to make a contribution and provide assistance to the young women choosing life for their babies.

Garry Markvluwer

I have lived in Holland all my life, graduating from Holland Christian High School and Hope College. My wife, Sheila, and I have two children, a daughter Leah and son Tyler. I learned about Lakeshore Pregnancy Center in 1999 when my wife started working in various aspects of the ministry. For the first few years, I was a casual bystander with limited involvement. This soon changed as I began to volunteer at some of the events and experienced the positive impact the staff and ministry were having on the community. I Ride4Life to help Lakeshore Pregnancy Center raise funds to continue operating its five centers located in West Michigan and I welcome your financial support.

Please join me in holding up the staff and volunteers in prayer as they serve as the hands and feet of Christ. Every day, they are fighting for the life and souls of the unborn, and they are ministering to the needs of the men and women who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy.

Kelly VanTimmeren

My wife Gwen and I are longtime residents of Allendale and own VanTimmeren Greenhouses.  We are the proud parents of three grown children, a daughter in law, and one precious grandson.

As a believer in Christ I value a ministry like LPC to give caring non-judgmental support to those at a critical crossroad in life.  Our church home is Watermark in Grand Haven.  This is my second Ride4Life venture, and I am excited to be a part of this awesome team. 

Shelley Hollar

Shelley came to LPC in 2007 as a volunteer and has served in a few different positions in the ministry before becoming the Holland Center Director. “I am reminded daily of the pain and hurt others live in and am blessed to be a part of the hope we offer.”  Shelley and her husband Terry enjoy worshipping and serving at Hope Reformed Church in Grand Haven.  They both enjoy music, and anything in the great outdoors! However on a quiet day you many find Shelley in her sewing room whipping up something new. They have 2 children and 5 grandchildren that bring great joy to their lives.

Staci Ainsworth

I have had heart for Lakeshore Pregnancy Centers for quite some time now as my second mom, Amy Aernouts, has been involved from both a volunteer standpoint and now heads up the Mobile Medical Center. The passion she has for the ministry is evident, and I’ve shared in that in small ways over the course of her tenure. The opportunity to ride in the R4L has been something the Lord and I have been debating about for a few years now. The distance and commitment seemed fairly insurmountable until this year when He said, “Ok fine, Staci, I’ll shorten it up this year. But you have to do it.” So, here we are. I’m absolutely thrilled and equally panicked about the thought of riding 250 miles over the course of a few short days, but I know that whatever I might view as impossible is made possible by Him. 

This organization's rally cry around eternal hope is what I can subscribe to most. My life has had its fair share of twists and turns but in all of it, I fully trust that the Lord is weaving a tapestry of something good; something that can be to His glory. What I can say with certainty is that aside from the gift of that unending grace and promise of goodness is that my greatest accomplishment thus far is my 10 1/2 year old son, Connor. He is such a beautiful reminder of what my own childlike faith should look like and how my Father continually loves me despite those moments I may consider myself a disappointment. And finally, why the people at lakeshore pregnancy centers can be so impactful. With love from the right people, we get to see what Jesus looks like here on Earth and I wholeheartedly believe that we can be vessels of that tenderness and grace to people who may find themselves in a difficult place. 

So, I ride for a number of reasons. But mostly? I ride for life, and life to the fullest. 

Carolyn Doyle

Carolyn is the Executive Director for LPC and has been involved in the Ride4Life for the past 7 years. She routes the trip and leads our SAG Team and Riders safely on the route every year. She is an excellent team leader and her leadership plays a vital part in the Ride4Life.

Diane Meyerholtz

This is my fourth year with Ride4Life, working on the SAG team. I have a servant’s heart and love making the life of each rider easier.

On a personal note, I am married to my wonderful husband Mark. We have three adult children, and seven grandchildren. I love spending time with the grands and the kids. For hobbies, I love camping with Mark, biking, and kayaking. I love reading and scrapbooking in my down and alone time. My faith and relationship with Christ has carried me through many a storm, and He is my Rock and my Foundation.

Mary Ann VanKampen

I really enjoyed my years as an elementary secretary with Zeeland Public Schools.   But, retirement now allows me to spend more time with family and friends, volunteer and travel. I'm excited to be helping for the 3rd year as part of the SAG team to help raise money for Lakeshore Pregnancy.  It's an opportunity to raise money to help those facing an unplanned pregnancy.