Pedaling for a Purpose: Ipswich Rotarian Cycles Across U.S. in Support of The Rotary Foundation

Posted 
on Jul 29, 2014
 
Riding his bike across the United States to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation, Keith Harris has inspired generosity with every push of the pedal. Read the story below for information on Ketih's visits to our District from Aug. 11 to Aug.13.
 
A woman he met in a Cooke City, Montana, general store donated $100 after a brief conversation.  And when he spoke to a school group about water quality in developing countries, they decided to raise money for the Foundation’s water filtration programs.
 
“It’s really exciting for me when casual encounters along my ride lead people to get involved with Rotary,” Keith, 50, of Merrimac, tells us.  “That adds so much more significance to what I am doing.” 
 
Keith began his 4,400-mile trek in Seattle on June 9 and will complete it in his hometown by summer’s end. We are excited that next week he will be traveling through the district, making various stops along the way to speak to members of our clubs and members of the public as well.
 
Here is his schedule for the week:
 
  • First stop, Pittsfield: On Sunday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m., Keith will lead a talk for kids on bike safety at the Pittsfield Family YMCA in the gymnasium, 292 North St.  He will also share inspiring stories of the road.  No registration required.
  • Westfield: On Monday, Aug. 11 at noon, Keith will speak to the Westfield Rotary Club at Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center, 53 Mill St. Lunch will be served, and the cost is $12. To reserve a seat, contact, Jennifer Gruszka at 413-265-1236 or jennifer1545@yahoo.com. The reservation deadline is Aug. 4.
  • West Springfield: On Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 12:15 p.m., Keith will speak to the Rotary Club of West Springfield at Storrowton Carriage House, 1305 Memorial Ave. Lunch will be served, and the cost is $12.
To reserve a space, contact Steve Swanda at 413-355-2301 or sswanda@appliedst.com. 
  • Northampton: On Monday, Aug. 11 at 5 p.m., Keith will speak to the Northampton Rotary Club at the Platform Sports Bar in Union Station, 125 Pleasant St. Donations to the Rotary Foundation in honor of Keith will be accepted. To reserve a space, contact Jeff Smith at 413-505-9926. 
  • Last local stop, Springfield: On Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 10 a.m., Keith will speak to youths at Gardening the Community, a food justice organization engaged in youth development, urban agriculture and sustainable living to build healthy communities. The young people deliver food to their neighbors via bicycle. The talk will be held at GTC’s garden site at 256 Hancock St., Springfield, and no registration is required.
 
Keith, a longtime member of the Ipswich Rotary Club, has used his ride to raise over $30,000 for the Foundation.
 
Besides raising awareness about Rotary, he is also riding in gratitude for his own health.  In a 2007 adult softball game, he injured himself sliding into second base.  What at first seemed like a simple abrasion became life-threatening when a resulting staph infection spread and shut his organs down.  Keith underwent emergency open-heart surgery and wondered if he would survive.
 
“Part of reason for the ride relates to my near-death experience.  When I came out of that, I felt like couldn’t just to go back to life as normal,” he says.  “I have a heightened sense of purpose now.”
 
Reflecting on his trek so far, Keith says one of the most striking experiences was pedaling 70 miles up and over Beartooth Highway, an 11,000-foot pass that runs from northwest Wyoming to southwest Montana and into Yellowstone National Park.
 
“I knew from training for the trip that physically it was going to be the most challenging day.  And it was, but it was also an incredibly beautiful experience,” Keith says. “It was 35 miles up and 35 miles down, with 30-foot snow banks at the top.”
 
Keith joined the Ipswich Rotary Club 18 years ago at his accountant’s suggestion.  He and his wife, Christina, had just opened a printing and graphic design company in town; they saw Rotary as a networking opportunity.
 
“I didn’t know the first thing about Rotary.  I quickly discovered that it’s really about service and fellowship,” he says.  “Christina and I enjoy belonging to an organization that’s trying to make a difference in so many ways.”
 
To learn more about Keith and his fundraising ride, visit his Pedaling for a Purpose website at http://pedalingforapurpose.com/ or visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pedalingforapurpose.