TEAM LIVING WATER BIKES 300 MILES FOR MAKE-A-WISH

Photo by: Dawn Lampe
July 30, 2006

Each year, Living Water Church, the north campus of St. Luke Lutheran in Ann Arbor, sponsors an ever growing bicycle team to make the 300-mile, 3-day ride from northern Michigan to southeast Michigan.  This fund-raising event takes place the last weekend of  July every year and is organized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, which is known for granting wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Team Living Water is led by Dan Flynn, and inspired by Jack Lampe, a Whitmore Lake  resident whose daughter was a recipient of the Make-A-Wish program on her fourth birthday in 2002 when she was granted her wish to meet Cinderella.  Since then Lampe has been motivated to get involved in the organization.  He shares his passion with several men and women with caring, faithful hearts from Living Water Church and around the community. They have been riding together since mid-April  2004.  According to Lampe, “The team has come a long way in a short time. Everyone’s determination to ride their best and commitment to each other has made this a great team.  We’ve become a small group that encourages one another.”  In addition, Team Living Water has the prayer and financial support of St.Luke Lutheran Church.  To date over $19,000.00 has been raised on its behalf.

The Wish-A-Mile 300 is the biggest fundraising event for Michigan Make-A-Wish as well as its greatest challenge.  It

involves volunteers at both ends of the trip as well as support crews who ride in vans along the route.  Team: Living Water is “sent off” on the last Thursday in July from a designated location and welcomed home on the following Sunday at the same location.  Members of Living Water Church are always on hand to cheer on their team at the Heroes Hurrah picnic and celebration.  Wish children are also on hand to congratulate those who go the extra mile in their behalf.

In addition to Vicar Dan Flynn and Jack Lampe, members of Team Living Water include Scott Bone, Emily Buchholz, Paul Burke, David Chapman, Tim Crocco, Adrian Forbes, Mark Forde, Brian Gentry, Sara Heusel, Eugene Johnson, Matthew Mass, Doug Marrin, Kim Rescorla and Greg Smith.

For more information about the Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour, go to www.wishmich.org  For more information about Living Water Church, go to www.livingwatermi.org or call s734/426-2006.