This is a big week for our Ride4Life team! Both new and returning riders and SAG members are excited to be taking off on their 350 mile challenge. Leaving on Thursday, and returning on Sunday, this year's ride will follow a beautiful loop through the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. Please join us in praying for the safety and strength of our 2017 Ride4Life
team!
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, this is my second year 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. Today, I Ride4Life to help Lakeshore Pregnancy Center raise funds to
continue operating its five centers located in West Michigan.
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.
Shelley Hollar
I came to LPC in 2007 as a volunteer and have
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 LPC offers.
My husband Terry and I enjoy worshipping and serving at Hope Reformed
Church in Grand Haven. We both enjoy
music, and anything in the great outdoors! However on a quiet day you many find
me in my sewing room whipping up something new. I have 2 children and 5
grandchildren that bring great joy to my life.
Tom
Westrick
I have a great
passion for cycling and have been involved with several pregnancy centers over
the last seven years in the West Michigan area. What better way to put the two
together than to ride for LPC? I can’t remember how I heard about the
Ride4Life, but I finally made the jump this year and decided to ride – making this
my first year participating. I am really excited! I can’t wait to challenge myself
on this ride of 350 miles. What better motivation than riding for life?
I tell people that
I cycle for relaxation and the enjoyment of silence and the many smells (maybe
not the cow manure and road kill) and landscapes that I pass. They think I am
crazy for saying riding 100 miles is relaxing, but hey, what can I say?! It’s
my way to clean the mind and get away from behind the desk and the busy world
we live in.
In my free time
when I am not riding or working, I volunteer at Holy Family Radio and St.
Isidore Church helping with IT. I am also an active member of the Knights of
Columbus and choir at St. Isidore.
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 fifth
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 4th 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.
This final day is bitter sweet. It has been hot but beautiful. We are thankful for safety and a team that works together. We had a homemade breakfast to start our morning and on the road by 7:35 am
