Raising funds outside the box. Plymouth School Superintendent to bike from Washington, DC, to Ply

Feb. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Gary Maestas, Ed.D., to embark on the “DreamRide” from June 6 to June 12
DATELINE: PLYMOUTH, MA…
It’s no secret that the cost of providing a quality education has increased. It’s also no secret that federal and state aid to school districts like Plymouth has been reduced. Deciding that the current level of funding was just not going to be enough, Plymouth Superintendent Gary Maestas, Ed.D., had an idea. He would raise money for Plymouth students by riding a bicycle from Washington, DC, to Plymouth, MA, giving birth to the DreamRide. Through DreamRide, Dr. Maestas’ goal is to raise $100,000 in donations for the Plymouth Education Foundation, the premier, non-profit organization established to support and enhance the education of the students and citizens of the Town of Plymouth.

Beginning June 6, Dr. Maestas, accompanied by a DreamRide Team comprised of students, teachers and a nurse, will bike approximately 600 miles from DC to Plymouth over a seven-day period. While the primary goal will be to raise funds via sponsorships, the DreamRide has many layers and opportunities for growth and learning.

“Sure, the goal is to raise money, specifically $100,000, but we’re just as interested in setting an example for students,” said Maestas. “When faced with a problem or challenge, I want students to learn to think outside the box.”

Dr. Maestas will record daily video reports/blogs from the road. In addition, his progress will be recorded via GPS online as will his heart rate and other vitals. The video/media element of the DreamRide will provide a number of educational and curriculum opportunities both for the crew working the ride and students back home in Plymouth. Those include:

•   Health and Wellness – How to train, eat and prepare physically and mentally for a physical challenge.
•   Math – Problem solving, charting and estimating Dr. Maestas’ progress.
•   Social Studies – Historical and geographical aspects of sites visited along the route.
•   Science – Weather, mechanics of bicycle, drag coefficients, and more.
•   English Language Arts – Literacy, and much more.
•   Community involvement – How getting involved with your community can help students and their families accomplish incredible things.

Proceeds from the DreamRide will go directly to the Plymouth Education Foundation (www.plymoutheducationfoundation.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that solicits, manages, and distributes funds for educational purposes and activities that may not otherwise be funded.

In addition to raising $100,000, the DreamRide is also looking for sponsors to underwrite expenses associated with the seven-day ride. Serious Cycles of Manomet has donated a SPECIALIZED bike for the ride. In addition, Serious Cycles Owner Seth Lawrence is training two students as repair technicians for the ride. Other sponsors to date include Jordan Hospital, First Student Bus Company, and the Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Company.

“We are honored to support education in Plymouth through Superintendent Gary Maestas’ journey to raise funds for the education foundation and to promote general health and wellness awareness in the community,” says Jordan Hospital President Peter Holden. “As the region’s leading provider of healthcare, we are committed to working with Gary and the community to ensure that the DreamRide is a success—and I look forward to riding with him from Boston to Jordan Hospital in Plymouth.”

“The DreamRide is about much more than ‘Dr. Maestas’ getting on a bicycle and hopefully getting himself in good enough condition not to fall apart somewhere in New Jersey,” said Maestas. “It’s about people caring about the education our children are receiving and wanting something better.”

For complete information on the DreamRide, including sponsorship and volunteer information, please visit www.dreamride.us or contact Mrs. Nicole Manfredi, DreamRide Director at (781) 831-0731 or nsmanfredi@aol.com.