Three Penn State alumni have chosen the University's Opportunity Network for Employment (ONE) to be the beneficiary of a 175-mile bicycling fundraiser. Keith Miller (Class of '92), Peter Rotelle (Class of '93) and Bob Hamer (Class of '95) will ride the hilly perimeter of Lancaster County on Saturday, Aug. 19. The ride will be in memory of their friend David Lioen, a 1993 Penn State graduate who passed away last year after battling depression.
"I am participating in this grueling ride on Dave's road bike to honor his memory and to raise money for the ONE program," Miller said. "I am also riding to build awareness of depression. Although one of my best friends suffered from this illness, I knew nothing about depression and did not know how to help my friend until it was too late."
Last year $5,000 was raised by the bike ride, an amount that was matched by Rotelle. This year Miller, Hamer and Rotelle are planning to double the amount raised to $20,000. This year there will be a two-for-one match up to $10,000. The money raised from this event will allow ONE to continue a vocational mentoring program for high school students, develop new internships, increase awareness of disability-related issues and create new employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Individuals who wish to make a pledge toward the bike ride can obtain instructions by contacting Marianne Karwacki at mlk6@psu.edu. Tax deductible donations can be made via either check or credit card.
ONE develops employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The program is a collaboration among the Penn State Office of Human Resources, the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, The Arc of Centre County, Skills of Central PA, the State College Area School District and other education and rehabilitation service providers.