Every year John Elder, a local businessman, embarks on a 900 mile bike ride to raise money for Kids n' Kinship, a local non-profit organization that matches kids ages 5-16 with volunteer mentors.
Currently the program serves 93 adults matched with 78 children. Unforunately there are still 68 children waiting for adult mentors
This year's 900 mile ride to benefit Kids-N-Kinship will begin on May 27 through Iowa nad Nebraska concluding in Apple Valley on June 12.
John Elder is the spokesperson on wheels for the non-profit's largest annual fund raising event and a mentor himself.
Elder, the president of Elder-Jones, Inc., a Minneapolis-based retail and restaurant construction company, says "It's amazing what a mentor can do in a young person's life and, in turn, what the young person can do for you." Elder, who has mentored 17-year-old Dante for six years, says "You don't need a lot of experience to have a significant impact on a young person's life."
This year's exciting new addition, the first ever female rider ever, Kathy Kelley is from Chaska and will join John for the first 300 miles.
Anyone interested in donating or finding out more about mentoring opportunities should contact www.CEM900.com
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