Bike trip raises $13k for companion dogs
Courtesy Photo / Robert Sallen Members of Alpha Sigma Phi raised $15,100 dollars to Canine Companions for Independence
May 7, 2012
Alpha Sigma Phi, a Greek organization at Grand Valley State University, is fulfilling its philanthropy mission on an annual 1,680-mile bike ride to benefit Canine Companions for Independence.
Bikers returned to Allendale Sunday after the week-long fundraising trip, which took them through three states.
This was the 17th year that members of Alpha Sigma Phi participated in the bike ride.
Members of Alpha Sigma Phi also volunteer their time to the nonprofit organization, where they help train leader dogs.
Robert Sallen, GVSU senior and this year’s bike trip chair, said the guys ride in shifts, but each participant rides at least 400 miles.
“We feel it’s important for people in the Greek community to give back,” Sallen said. “We want to make it known that fraternities
and sorority have a bigger purpose, we can do big and better things. And, we believe that Canine Companions for Independence
is a good organization to donate to, they have changed so many lives over time for the better.”
The trip, which began April 29, lasted seven days.
Starting on the Allendale Campus at the clock tower, they traveled through different locations, including Bear Lake, Mich.; Green Bay; Milwaukee; Chicago and South Haven, Mich.; then back to Allendale.
There were a total of 12 fraternity members on the trip, 11 on bikes and one driving a van.
A second van filled with encouraging supporters drove ahead and cheered on the bikers.
Through this year’s trip, the fraternity raised and donated more than $13,000.
Sallen said this trip breaks $100,000 overall donation barrier, which is a huge success for them.
Canine for Companions named a pair of dogs in commemoration of GVSU’s Alpha Sigma Phi — Grand and Valley.
John Bushaw, GVSU senior and last year’s bike trip chair said they just want to give back to the community.
“It’s my favorite thing that we do,” Bushaw said. “The bike ride is our biggest tradition. It’s our biggest source of philanthropy. We hold many fundraisers — we want to show everyone that we like to give back.”
