Hey there, people of the internet!

I'm riding to Sacramento once again to raise funds for Ride for a Reason. We're all excited to ride safely once again. We raise money for public schools in Oakland and Alameda Island. You may be thinking, "Gosh, I can't really get excited about a fundraiser for someone else's school..." I encourage you to read up?and find out more about the mission and motivation of R4R. We raise funds for schools which otherwise don't get much private fundraising. Why? Because it's a mess the way California funds its public schools. The state allocates money to school districts based on enrollment, but California is not a national leader on what states provide to students and teachers. So lots of schools in affluent districts make up for a lack of resources with private fundraising. That probably sounds familiar. But where does that leave students from less affluent areas with lower property tax revenue? Students experiencing poverty? Students from big, dense cities? Students at schools that serve large numbers of brand-new immigrants? That's where we at R4R come in, and that's where you, concerned internet citizen, come in to help. Donate to this fundraiser, and your donation goes to a school that really needs funds to provide "extra" services for students at needy schools. We're talking simple "extra" stuff like library books, science materials, sports equipment and coaching, after-school programs for younger students, art supplies, extra teaching, tutoring, and counseling support for students who need it. You're like "What? Isn't that stuff in the district budget already?" We wish! That's why we're raising money and making noise! Now hit that button and support some students! Yay, you!?

And if it makes you donate more, you can think that I'll be suffering on the bike! Or you can think that your donations give me that extra motivation boost to ride all day long! Riding more than 100 miles is mostly a mental challenge, and your support does make a difference when I'm about ready to cramp and barf in scorching 90 degree heat or 25 mph headwinds.?

All best,?

Paul Vetter