Snohomish Knights of Columbus ride bikes to raise money
Published 10:53 pm Friday, May 30, 2008
SNOHOMISH — Three Snohomish Knights of Columbus members recently pedaled 286 miles to raise $2,656 to help six Archdiocese of Seattle seminarians.
The trio rode bicycles to Spokane over three days to raise the money.
Larry Linson, 60, and Matthew Goldor, 42, both of Lake Stevens, and Tom Fuchs, 54, of Snohomish, set out from Snohomish at 7 a.m. May 14 and traveled 93 miles along U.S. 2 over Stevens Pass to Leavenworth, where they stayed the night, said Linson, who is grand knight for Knights of Columbus Council No. 9664 St. Michaels, Snohomish.
“The next day we rode 100 miles, passing through Wenatchee, where we picked up Highway 28 to Quincy, then took up Highway 17 to Ephrata to Soap Lake, where we caught up with Highway 2 again to Coulee City,” Linson said.
After spending the night in Coulee City, the trio traveled another 93 miles to Spokane, arriving at the Red Lion Inn where Linson attended the State Knights of Columbus convention.
The group raised funds through donations from parish members, friends and family before and during their trip. The money will go directly to help six Archdiocese of Seattle seminarians that the St. Michael’s council will select at its monthly business meeting on Wednesday, Linson said.
The group was assisted on its trek by Knights of Columbus member Bill Jack of Snohomish, who drove the support vehicle from Snohomish to Spokane and back.
Knights of Columbus, an international service organization for Catholic men over age 18, has about 200 councils in the state of Washington, Linson said. The fraternal organization supports local parishes of the Catholic Church by raising funds for community and parish activities, such as the bike run.
Local councils also donate funds to the state Knights of Columbus Pennies from Heaven fund, Linson said, which is divided between three bishops in the state who allocate the money to help support seminarians.
“As a local council, we also have an option to send $500 directly to a seminarian to help them with personal items,” Linson said. “This bike ride allows us to support six seminarians. It’s been a number of years since we’ve been able to support seminarians because our money has been going to other charities.”
In addition to sending money to the seminarians, Linson said Knights of Columbus councils also send letters to encourage them.
Those who wish to donate to the Knights of Columbus bike-a-thon seminarian fund can send checks directly to the St. Michael’s council addressed to Knights of Columbus, 1512 Pine Ave., Snohomish, WA 98290. Donations should be earmarked for the bike-a-thon fund.
For more information, call 425-334-2773.
Reporter Leita Hermanson Crossfield: 425-339-3449 or lcrossfield@heraldnet.com.
