The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica will welcome 22-year-old Garrett Shay Monday afternoon when he concludes his 5,000-mile bike ride to California to raise funds for his local Boys & Girls Club.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst senior embarked on the cycling journey across the country — from Melrose, Massachusetts to the Santa Monica Pier — to raise money for his local Boys & Girls Club in Salem.
Shay will be welcomed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica today at 4 pm by Club members, staff, board members, and Club supporters.
An ice cream social will take place and special guests such as the Santa Monica Police Department Bicycle Unit and Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks will be in attendance.
There will be a Q&A with Shay about his journey as well as a Skype session with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem to discuss his achievement.
Tracking his progress on the Boys & Girls Club of Salem’s website, Shay has now raised $6,945 with a goal of $25,000 in funds raised for the Club.
Packing only a tent, water, a first aid kit, a repair kit for his tires, clothing and maps, Shay decided to make this 5,000-mile journey from Massachusetts to California in the hopes of raising funds and awareness about the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem.
Biking up to 100 miles per day but averaging about 40 miles each day, Shay will have completed his journey in about two months and 25 days.
He found shelter along the way through contacting churches, fire stations, universities, senior centers, and other facilities.
Shay’s fundraising efforts will help the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem maintain its low annual membership fee of $10 and help to further the mission of the Boys & Girls Club – to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
