WiMi Wish Ride fundraises for Make-A-Wish children

MARINETTE – In a first-ever collaboration between Make-A-Wish Wisconsin and Make-A-Wish Michigan, the WiMi Wish Ride is inviting bicycle riders to bike from Marinette to Kingsford, Mich., in a 200 mile fundraising adventure this summer.

While similar but separate events have been held by each state’s Make-A-Wish foundations, sisters Melissa Newingham, fundraising/donor relations, and Jenna Ellis, treasurer/banking, are amongst the leaders planning this unique fundraising event to unite Wisconsin and Michigan.

While discussing all of the planning that has gone into the WiMi Wish Ride, Newingham explained “the inspiration is that we’re looking at these areas that are kind of underserved within northeast Wisconsin and the U.P. and getting funds to those areas specifically.”

Planning has also been driven by the experience that Event Organizer Rick Downs has from years of volunteering with and participating in other Make-A-Wish rides.

In a press release Downs noted that the ride represents a positive memory and community encouragement for children and their families affected by critical illnesses.

Being able to see how his volunteer acts create direct impacts is “why I made a commitment to do Make-A-Wish for the rest of my life,” Downs said.

Seasoned riders like Downs aided in planning the ride route, which will depart from Marinette on Saturday, August 9. The ride route, which can be found on the WiMi Wish Ride website, mostly covers residential and county roads.

The tentative path departs southwest from Marinette before passing up through Peshtigo, Porterfield, Wausaukee and Dunbar before crossing the state border and stopping at Kingsford, Mich.

While Ellis noted that the ride route could change due to summer road construction projects, the team specifically chose to pass through a variety of small towns.

Not only do back roads and residential streets aid in keeping riders safe, but she said that “getting the community involved in cheering on the riders would be pretty awesome.”

The route back on Sunday, August 10 will return southeast through Pembine, Packard and Menominee, Mich. before coming back to Marinette.

Registration for the WiMi Wish Ride is currently $100 per rider and will be $125 per rider after July 1. Registration includes a team cycling jersey, an event t-shirt and a certificate. To qualify for the rider, participants must raise at least $550.

All proceeds from the bicycle ride will be donated to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin and Make-A-Wish Michigan.

Newingham said that this event will “raise awareness for these kids that are out there fighting every day for their lives that really need to have [this money] in place so that they’re able to get these wishes granted.”

Examples of wishes granted to children with terminal and critical illnesses through Make-A-Wish Wisconsin include a bedroom makeover, constructing a family pool and gifting a camper.

The ride is supported by Wisconsin and Michigan’s Make-A-Wish groups and is sponsored by Pieper Power, M.J. Electric, Integra First and Otto’s Meats. Newingham and Ellis encourage anyone interested in volunteering with day-of organizing, aiding the Marinette County Police Department in route coordination and more to reach out.

For more information on the upcoming WiMi Wish Ride or to register, visit www.wimiwishride.org or WiMi Wish Ride on Facebook.