Purdue to participate in inaugural bike ride for Hoosier troops
September 17, 2014
WEST LAFYAETTE, Ind. - The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University on Thursday (Sept. 18) will welcome riders from the first Ride Indiana, a 5-day, 500-mile cycling endurance event designed to raise awareness and support for veterans.
Produced by Wish for Our Heroes, a nonprofit that supports Indiana members of the U.S. military, the ride begins on Wednesday (Sept. 17) in Warsaw, Indiana and is expected to arrive at Purdue's campus at approximately 5 p.m. Thursday. The riders will stop near Hanley Hall and be greeted by MFRI Director Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth and other MFRI and Purdue representatives.
At the conclusion of the day's ride, Wish for Our Heroes will present a check to a local veteran in need. The veteran will be on site to receive the gift, which will help her pay bills and provide clothes and supplies for her children.
"As an organization that works to serve those who serve, we are glad to welcome Ride Indiana to MFRI's home and help them make a difference to veterans in our community," said MacDermid Wadsworth.
On Friday, Purdue President Mitch Daniels will provide a send off for riders as they begin the next leg of their journey from the Pay Less parking lot at 65 Beck Lane in Lafayette at 7 a.m.
For more information on Ride Indiana, visit http://wishforourheroes.org/rideindiana.
About MFRI
The Military Family Research Institute was founded in 2000 with funding from the Department of Defense. It is the leading university-based organization in the nation that conducts research about, with and for military families. MFRI is part of the Center for Families in Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences.
Writer: Beth Johnson, 703-927-7429, bethjohnson@purdue.edu
Sources: Mitch Daniels, president@purdue.edu
Shelly MacDermid Wadsworth, 765-494-3403, shelley@purdue.edu
