San Diego, CA– Ryan Lee Gehris will ride his beach cruiser bicycle over three thousand miles fundraising for Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation (Fallen Patriots). He will begin his trip April 2, 2018 in Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA traveling to Washington, D.C., continuing through Philadelphia, PA and finally stopping in New York. He has estimated that it will take him approximately 264 hours and 29 minutes to finish, and his goal is to complete his ride by Memorial Day.
Ryan’s inspiration comes from his own mother, Patty Stein, who at the age of 14 lost her father, Leon Charles Stein. Leon served in the Navy for 23 years before being killed in action while serving as an advisor for the Brown Water Navy Junk Force on July 19, 1965.
Ryan will be meeting with Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion members along the way raising money for Fallen Patriots, while increasing awareness on the rate of veteran suicides per day. He asks that individuals donate $22 to support his worthy cause, as 22 represents the Veterans that take their own lives every day. “As a young boy, my late grandmother and mother got me involved with The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 131, out of Berks County, PA. We raised money for The Veterans Memorial in Reading City Park in 1988,” explains Ryan.
Ryan’s charity of choice, Fallen Patriots, relies on corporate sponsors and individuals like Ryan to help fund college scholarships and educational counseling for military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. For families of the fallen, the need is great. It is estimated that there is a financial gap of $32,000 between government assistance programs and the actual cost of a 4-year college education. In many cases the gap is too large for students to bridge alone, and that is why Fallen Patriots is dedicated to identifying and offering assistance to all Gold Star students.
To donate to Ryan’s Pedaling for Patty cross-country fundraiser click here.
About Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation honors the sacrifices of military heroes by ensuring the success of their children through college education. Since 2002, Children of Fallen Patriots has provided $21.1 million in total assistance, including college scholarships, supplemental grants and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. Nearly 20,000 children from the United States will need future assistance. For more information about Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation visit: www.fallenpatriots.com.