Ken and Shannon Wilson had a chance to make a difference.
Last year, the Minnesota couple were talking about their upcoming motorcycle trip across America. They had finished raising their three children. Their successful business had allowed them to retire early.
The Christian couple were ready to rekindle their passion for motorcycles. And they wanted to ride not only for themselves but also for children.
Talk turned into action. The Wilsons left Dellwood, Minn., on July 25 to start an 8,000-mile motorcycle trip toward the West Coast. The trip, supported by some businesses, aims to raise about $30,000 for UNICEF, a branch of the United Nations devoted to children worldwide.
“It seemed a little empty just doing it,” Shannon Wilson, 51, said. “We thought about how we could make it useful for other people.”
The couple cares about children who will shape the future, Ken Wilson said.
“It’s all about faith,” Ken Wilson, 53, said, adding that they are paying for all the expenses of their trip.
Ken Wilson rides a Yamaha Stratoliner; Shannon drives a Honda Gold Wing trike.
Together, they have traveled along the lesser-traveled blue highways of Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon. Whenever possible, they have stayed at bed and breakfast places to get to know local people, Ken Wilson said.
On Tuesday, they plan to reach their destination in Snohomish County. They are scheduled to stay with their friends Jack and Lyn Muegge, who live near Echo Lake south of Monroe.
“I think it’s great,” Lyn Muegge said. “They took what they loved and made it worthwhile.”
A Web site has been set up to keep track of the Wilsons’ trip. As they gained miles, more and more people have pitched in to help UNICEF, Ken Wilson said. The project has raised about $11,000 so far.
Richard Alleyne, a spokesman for UNICEF, said that the organization is coordinating with the Wilsons. All the donations will be used to benefit the organization, Alleyne said.
In Snohomish County, the Wilsons said they plans to spend a few nights before the begin their return trip to Minnesota.
Jack and Lyn Muegge are hoping to see them soon. They are preparing for a big barbecue for them.
“We are very excited to have them,” Lyn Muegge said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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