4,000-mile bike trip to raise money for vets - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

4,000-mile bike trip to raise money for vets

A Vietnam veteran is gearing up to cycle 4,000 miles across the country to raise money for the Fisher House Foundation, which builds “comfort homes” that lodge families of service members and veterans recuperating from illness or injury.

“People may oppose the war, but we have to support the vets. I remember coming back from Vietnam. Nobody should have to go through that,” said Rob Rodweller of Silver Spring, Md., a retired information technology executive. “Because of my experiences, I believe it is extremely important to provide support to those who have risked their lives serving in the armed forces.”

He plans to start his trek June 2 in San Francisco and end in Portsmouth, N.H., 52 days later, with stops plotted along the way.

Many individual donors contribute to the Fisher House Foundation, said David Coker, foundation president. “It’s the $5 and $10 that add up,” he said. “It’s huge.”

Church groups, a group of runners in the Marine Corps Marathon, and groups of employees from companies are among those who, like Rodweller, raise money for the foundation.

“Our focus is on building more houses and helping more families,” Coker said.

In addition to Fisher Houses just completed in Tampa, Fla., and San Antonio, the foundation’s current $35 million building program will fund houses in Richmond, Va.; Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Dallas; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; San Diego; and Seattle.

“I’m at a place financially in life right now where I can make a difference,” Rodweller said. “And I’m still physically able to do this.” He is footing the bill for all his expenses related to the cross-country trek.

Pledges or donations can be made by the mile, a block of miles, a day’s ride or an overall dollar amount.

At the Fitness First Layhill health club in Silver Spring, where Rodweller has been training locally, spinning instructors have volunteered to help in a charity fundraiser April 28. Those who wish to donate to Fisher House can sign up to ride by the hour at a cost of $25 per ride, with a 90-minute challenge ride for $50.

For more information, check out Rodweller’s Web site or send him an e-mail.

Checks made payable to the Fisher House Foundation should be mailed to: Rob Rodweller’s 2007 Bicycle America for Wounded Veterans, 1905 Allanwood Place, Silver Spring, MD, 20906-1180.