UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. — The math is pretty straightforward — ride a bicycle 100 miles per day for 30 consecutive days for a total of 3,000 miles — but the journey itself is not so easy. Jack Jones, a facilities supervisor in the Penn State Office of Physical Plant (OPP), along with a friend, Jeff Weidow, set out from San Diego, California, on April 1 and started pedaling eastward. Their ambitious two-fold goal is to make it to Saint Augustine, Florida by the end of April and raise awareness and funds for THON, the Penn State student-run philanthropy group committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer.
Jones hopes to raise $10,000 for THON on his journey and has been soliciting donations in the run-up to and during his trip.
“I’ve been a lifelong Penn State fan and now a proud employee too,” said Jones. “The cross-country ride is a great opportunity for me to give back to the University by supporting THON and its unique mission. Helping THON raise money for pediatric cancer research and support is a big reward for me.”
The idea to pedal from coast-to-coast came after Jones, Weidow, and another riding partner rode across the state of Pennsylvania in three days in 2019. From that point on, their goal was to ride from California to Florida.
As the two friends planned and prepared for embarking on the 3,000+ mile journey, a few important logistical components needed to work out. First, Jones needed his supervisor’s approval to take time off work.
“The outpouring of support from my OPP colleagues has been incredible,” said Jones. “My supervisors have been fully supportive. Colleagues have offered everything from covering my work duties while I’m gone to donating to THON to contacting relatives along our riding route for places to stay. I can’t thank my colleagues enough for their generosity.”
In addition to the support from his OPP teammates, Jones and Weidow have also received assistance from various chapters of the Penn State Alumni Association. Members of the San Diego chapter received and stored the team’s shipped bicycles as well as ensured the pair began their journey with a proper send-off, with several members joining the pair on the first day of the ride. Along the route, other Alumni Association chapters are getting involved too, such as the Phoenix chapter, who has volunteered food and housing for the pair. Later in the ride, chapter members from Tallahassee and Jacksonville have offered a hand to Jones and Weidow as well.
“It’s hard to describe just how wonderful the Penn State family has been to us,” said Jones. “The overall generosity is simply amazing. We’ve been overwhelmed and at times, speechless, by the outpouring of support.”
About THON
In 1977, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, known as THON, established its relationship with Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. Four Diamonds directly assists the families at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, while funding research in pursuit of a cure. To date, THON has contributed more than $200 million to support children and their families battling childhood cancer. Every year, more than 16,500 student volunteers devote their time and effort to raise money through fundraising events. The hard work of each and every volunteer culminates every February during THON Weekend for a 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon celebration in the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park.
To donate to THON in support of Jones and Weidow, visit the THON website.