This year鈥檚 Lov91短视频 Giving Day was an out-of-the-park grand slam, and we鈥檙e not just talking about the one hit by a Royals slugger at Wednesday鈥檚 baseball game.

The eighth annual giving day extravaganza, held on Wednesday, April 10, was bigger than previous years 鈥� featuring a number of new events that amped up the Lov91短视频 spirit 鈥� and raised more money than ever before. A total of $340,512 was raised throughout the 24-hour event, cruising past the $325,000 goal set by organizers and eclipsing the $300,915 raised last year (a 13% increase).  

鈥淚 am blown away by the support from this community,鈥� said Lov91短视频 organizer Nicole Litwiller 鈥�19, MA 鈥�20 (conflict transformation), annual giving and donor communication specialist. 鈥淣ot only did we raise over $340,000, which is in itself a massive accomplishment, but we also saw the 91短视频 community (from current students, to alumni, to faculty and staff) show up for this day to make each event special and full of joy.”

91短视频 students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends shared what they loved most about 91短视频 online (using the #91短视频GivingDay and #StrongerTogether hashtags) and on campus. They showed up and showed out at Lov91短视频 Giving Day events held throughout the day. And, they gave like never before, unlocking all $125,000+ of challenge match funds for The University Fund, student scholarships, athletics, and Royal Women for 91短视频.

This year saw the return of the leaderboard competition. For every $10 donation they made, supporters could vote for an academic program, student club/organization and athletic team. The winners of those categories 鈥� Music (85 votes), The Weather Vane (37 votes), and Men鈥檚 Soccer (192 votes) 鈥� each won $1,000. View the second-place and third-place winners, which received $500 and $250, on the Lov91短视频 website at .

Here鈥檚 a recap of the events and unlocked challenges that made Lov91短视频 Giving Day 2024 a smashing success:

Events

Inspired by the 鈥�80s theme in our leading up to the event, folks at 91短视频 showed up to campus looking like they just left an aerobics workout class 鈥� think teased hair, neon blue eyeshadow and neon windbreakers, warm-up jackets, legwarmers and headbands 鈥� while rocking out to hits from the decade.

Those attending the morning鈥檚 pep rally got a sweet start to their day with doughnuts (each representing the cost of an 91短视频 education that donors cover). The 91短视频 pep band added electricity to the first-ever Lov91短视频 pep rally, while emcees Braydon Hoover 鈥�11, MA 鈥�21 (organizational leadership) and Harrisonburg, Virginia, Mayor Deanna Reed pumped up the crowd. 

An alumna, a current student and an admitted student each shared what they love about 91短视频. Nora Osei 鈥�15, an 91短视频 basketball and soccer player who now works as director of growth and partnerships for Nike Sports Camps, shared her tips for finding success. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to be a standout athlete or student at 91短视频 to find success,鈥� she told the crowd. 91短视频 senior psychology major and multi-sport athlete Kate Landis talked about the highlights of her last four years at 91短视频. Admitted student Megan Smith said she had visited 10 other colleges and did not consider 91短视频 as a possibility. But, after seeing the clean campus, enjoying the good food at the dining hall and learning about the strong nursing program, she said 91短视频 felt like home. 鈥淢y mom and I got back into our car and we looked at each other and said, 鈥楾his is the right place,鈥欌�� said Smith.

Then, for a memorable moment from the day as President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman donned safety glasses and a poncho in preparation for a pie to the face. Because we surpassed our goal set in the We鈥檝e Got Spirit Challenge, we unlocked $10,000 to The University Fund and got the honor of watching Herm pie the president. As it turns out, Herm has great aim! Watch a of the pep rally on the 91短视频 Facebook page. 

Following the pep rally, a team of faculty and staff faced off against students in 尝辞惫贰惭鲍鈥檚 first-ever game of dodgeball. The faculty/staff team left the court victorious after one game. Yoder Arena鈥檚 courts then opened up for pickleball, basketball, volleyball and the climbing wall.聽

Also new this year was the addition of Admitted Student Day to the Lov91短视频 Day and SGA Day festivities. More than 20 admitted students visited the campus for the day, taking tours, learning about programs at the University Fair and panel discussions and participating in the spirited Lov91短视频 events. It was, what President Huxman called, “a trifecta day.鈥� When Herm was asked about how the day was going, he gave an enthusiastic two thumbs up.

91短视频 475 people soaked in the spring sunshine and enjoyed food, fun and fellowship at the Lunch & Lawn Party held on Thomas Plaza. They played lawn games on the grass and competed in contests such as the egg toss.

As mentioned at the beginning of our recap, Wednesday鈥檚 baseball game featured a grand slam from utility player Alex Gulisano as the Royals defeated the Fighting Squirrels of Mary Baldwin in a 12-2 drubbing. Another highlight of the game was infielder Ethan Spraker鈥檚 inside-the-park home run. The game drew a large crowd, who enjoyed treats from the Ott Street Eats food truck courtesy of the SGA.

Hundreds of people from all ages and backgrounds celebrated the funds rolling in at a barbecue cookout held in the evening in front of the University Commons. Grillmaster Dennis Showalter 鈥�73, president of the Alumni Council, served up fresh burgers and hot dogs. The Rain Pickers, a trio of strings musicians and 91短视频 alumni, performed live music while hungry Royals chowed down. Pioneer College Caterers provided their services for lunch and dinner.

The Lov91短视频 energy continued well into the night, fueled by a karaoke sing-off contest judged by Professor Daniel Showalter, Security Officer Elizabeth Jones, Mayor Reed and Herm. Each of the winning clubs received $100! International Students Organization (ISO) won Most Engaging/Best All-Around, Asian-Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA) won Most 91短视频 Love, and Queer Student Alliance (QSA) and Latino Student Alliance (LSA) split the winnings from the Best Theme category. 

Lov91短视频 Giving Day came to a close with a biscuits and jam bar and live music from talented musicians in the Student Union. Litwiller said a highlight of her day came when time was nearing midnight in the Student Union with several students who stuck it out. 鈥淲hen we surpassed $340,000, cheers erupted, Tyler Goss started playing 鈥榃e Are the Champions鈥� over the speakers, and everyone sang along in celebration,鈥� Litwiller said. 鈥淚t was a beautiful moment to be a part of, and reminded me of why we do this work: To support these amazing students. I’m filled with gratitude today.鈥�

Challenges

Early Challenge: Before the day even started, the gifts came rolling in. We received at least 100 gifts before the start of Lov91短视频 Giving Day to unlock $10,000 to student scholarships. 120+ out of 100 gifts needed were given!

Loyal Royal Challenge: 91短视频 alumni gave more than 250 gifts over the 24-hour span to best the goal set for this challenge and unlock $15,000 to The University Fund. 252 out of 250 gifts needed were given!

Stronger Together Challenge: Non-alumni deepened their commitment to 91短视频 by making at least 175 gifts throughout the day and unlocking $15,000 to student scholarships. 202 out of 175 gifts needed were given!

Future Royal Challenge: Because 15 prospective students attending Lov91短视频 Giving Day paid their tuition deposit, we unlocked $15,000 to The University Fund.

Wake Me Up Before You Give-Give Challenge: Early birds helped reach this challenge by giving 75 gifts between 6 and 9 a.m. to unlock $10,000 to The University Fund. 88 out of 75 gifts needed were given!

We鈥檝e Got Spirit Challenge: The 91短视频 faithful showed their Royal pride during the pep rally by giving 50 gifts between 10 and 11 a.m. and unlocking $10,000 to The University Fund (as well as a chance to watch Herm pie the president). 54 out of 50 gifts needed were given!

Rally with Royal Women Challenge: Royal Women for 91短视频, a new networking and philanthropy initiative, raises direct financial aid for students who want to attend 91短视频. President Huxman matched every dollar donated up to $9,000 in this challenge between noon and 3 p.m. A total of $21,632.70 was raised during this challenge! 

The Roar Heard 鈥橰ound the World Challenge: Donors joined Herm in letting their love for 91短视频 be heard all around the world by awarding 75 gifts between 5 and 7 p.m. and unlocking $10,000 to The University Fund. 88 out of 75 gifts needed were given!

What鈥檚 Love Got to Do With It Challenge: Loving 91短视频 is not a secondhand emotion. Because we received 50 gifts between 7:30 and 9 p.m., we unlocked $10,000 to student scholarships. 52 out of 50 gifts needed were given!

Carrie Us to Midnight Challenge: Athletics supporters showed their love for 91短视频 sports and Athletics Director Carrie Bert by pitching in 100 donations between 9 p.m. and midnight to unlock $10,000 to the Athletics Annual Fund. 119 out of 100 gifts needed were given!

Thank you to everyone who donated, shared of their time to tell us how you Lov91短视频, and joined in the festivities on campus!

For more photos from the day’s events, swipe through our below:

The awardees were Leymah Gbowee MA’07, ; Ronit Avni, a Peabody Award-winning ; and Suhad Babaa, the , an organization dedicated to increasing media coverage and support for Palestinian and Israeli grassroots leaders working for peace.

The seeks lasting peace in the Middle East by empowering girls and young women from the region through education, and provides scholarships and awards to study in North America and the United Kingdom. Since the foundation鈥檚 inception in 2010, it has helped nearly 400 women further their education.

To view WHSV news coverage, click .

‘The balance of our world’

Founder Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish鈥檚 three daughters Bisan, Mayar and Aya were killed in 2009 by Israeli fire in Gaza just four months after their mother died from leukemia. Their lives are memorialized in his memoir : A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity (Bloomsburg, 2012).

Women are 鈥渢he heroines鈥� behind the success of any community, Abuelaish said at the gala. 鈥淚 know that when we all come together as men and women, elders and children, all people, for the good of all people, women are the balance of our world. Women are the only hope this world has to rise up and reach its greatness.鈥�

Daughters for Life scholars will be able to earn master鈥檚 degrees in conflict transformation or restorative justice at 91短视频鈥檚 , which boasts over 600 alumni working in 78 countries.

91短视频 president voiced a 鈥渢remendously appreciative鈥� thanks to the supporters of 91短视频鈥檚 peace education, adding that Abuelaish鈥檚 book is 鈥渙ne of the most fragile and inspiring stories I have ever, ever heard.鈥�

Affirming the invaluable role of women peacebuilders

The each thanked Abuelaish for his work, and noted the importance of women in peacebuilding efforts around the world.

Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist, social worker and women鈥檚 rights advocate. She is founder and president of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa and a distinguished residence scholar at the Union Seminary in New York. She called Abuelaish 鈥渁 true hero. Thank you for taking those girls, transforming their lives, by bringing to light what was already in them.鈥�

Gbowee also had a broader message for her fellow awardees as well as for everyone present. 鈥淎s long as we sit back or hide the great work that women are doing in every community, the definition of a world will always be a wicked place. But I know deep down in my heart that there are more good people on this earth than evil people, and we have to dare to bring it out.鈥�

鈥淭his is a moment of celebration,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 also a moment of reflection, a time for us to stop and ask ourselves, 鈥楧o we just want to stop where we are? Or, do we want to push?鈥� We have a challenge, not just for the three of us who have received this award, but for every individual in this room, to elevate the work that women are doing everywhere around the world.鈥�

Ronit Avni founded and for over a decade was the executive director of Just Vision, which creates films, digital media and public education campaigns to raise awareness and support for Palestinian and Israeli civilians working to build a future of freedom, dignity and equality for all.

The organization, she said, rose out of 鈥渁n awareness that voices like yours [Abuelaish鈥檚] need to be heard: People who don鈥檛 denigrate or subjugate or build physical or psychological walls between people, people who would rather agitate without arms for equality, safety and freedom than teach their daughters and sons to hate. These are the role models we need to learn from and support.鈥�

She acknowledged the sadness of Abuelaish鈥檚 losses, adding the idea of her own three-year-old daughter鈥檚 absence is 鈥渦nimaginable.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 my daughter who reminds me that my experiences as a parent are bound up in the hardships and joys of all of humanity,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 because of her that I can walk down the street anywhere in the world and see another parent and exchange knowing smiles as one of us tries to lug a child in one arms, and grocery bags in another one.鈥�

Avni is now developing , an online platform that connects 鈥渟uccessful diaspora professionals鈥� with university students seeking career guidance.

Awardee Suhad Babaa is Avni鈥檚 successor as executive director at Just Vision. She previously was the organization鈥檚 director of programming, and said that storytelling can 鈥渟hape the way that we understand pressing issues of the day, and transform the way that we think about and respond to those issues.鈥�

In the face of change, in communities faced with tough questions in the face of 鈥渄eep political failure,鈥� in 鈥渓ong-term movements for dignity and for justice,鈥� she said, the 鈥減ower of narrative 鈥� holds true for issues across the globe and right here in our backyards, right here in the United States.鈥�

鈥淎s the struggle in Israel and Palestine continues today,鈥� she added, 鈥淚 can鈥檛 thank you more for the award tonight, and for the recognition. But may it be a tribute to the Palestinians and Israelis, the human rights defenders, community organizers, activists, and journalists, who despite all odds, resist the notion that the world as it is will always be, and instead hold up a vision for not only what is possible, but what is already underway.鈥�

鈥淎nd more importantly,鈥� she closed, 鈥淚 ask those in this room, those who have gathered here today, to stand with them, to stand with the people, the women, the men, the youth, who are striving for something greater than ourselves. Support them. Champion them, and make sure that they flourish. Thank you so much.鈥�

From tailoring or creating programs to meet workforce needs, offering continuing education opportunities or partnering with businesses on projects or to provide opportunities for students, all five local higher-education leaders detailed how they were making community connections.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so important for [the] economic and cultural value of an area to have institutions of higher education,鈥� said David Zimmerman, director of National College鈥檚 Harrisonburg campus, who spoke first during Wednesday鈥檚 presentations. 鈥淭he higher-education institutions provide the workforce.鈥�

Each college leader was given the floor to update attendees about programs, construction or other developments on their respective campuses during the breakfast.

鈥淭he popularity of this event reflects a recognition of the importance of these institutions of higher learning in our community,鈥� said Hobey Bauhan, chairman of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 board of directors, who also serves as president of the .

At National College, Zimmerman said students are benefiting from new associate and bachelor鈥檚 programs in the high-demand field of cybersecurity and a redesign of the school鈥檚 information systems engineering program.

Zimmerman also emphasized, as did other presidents, the importance of having students complete internships.

National College is a for-profit institution with 31 campuses throughout the mid-Atlantic and Midwest, and has been in the city since the mid-1980s. Its Harrisonburg location is on Country Club Road.

President John Downey said faculty members at the Weyers Cave school also were doing their best to meet identified needs.

BRCC is offering special support to children who came through foster care 鈥� only about 20 percent of those students succeed in higher education, he said 鈥� and first-generation college students.

鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to focus on reaching out to those special populations of students who are at the most risk for not finishing,鈥� Downey said.

The college also has new supports in place for students who speak English as a second language, students who are 50 and older and for those who need to gain manufacturing training.

鈥淭he college reflects the community serves,鈥� Downey said.

One way , 91短视频 and are serving community needs is through increased enrollment. BC President David Bushman, 91短视频 President Loren Swartzendruber and JMU President Jonathan Alger all said their institutions would boast more students this fall.

Bridgewater and James Madison will both set records, Bushman and Alger said.

Other successes for 91短视频 include recognition the university has received for building and for the high grade-point averages of the women鈥檚 cross country team, Swartzendruber said.

The university also posted a successful fundraising campaign in 2012-13. The fiscal year that ended June 30 marked Eastern Mennonite鈥檚 best year for donations in a decade, Swartzendruber said.

JMU also had success on that front. Alger said new donations and gifts from alumni increased this year, while about 40 percent of faculty and staff also gave to the university.

鈥淭hat was a real show of the commitment that people have,鈥� Alger said.

He also gave a brief rundown of construction projects, informed attendees that the university was in the process of crafting a strategic plan through 2020, and highlighted the importance of the campus鈥� involvement in the community.

鈥淲e want our students, our faculty [and] our staff to be fully engaged in the community; to be thinking about challenges … and to try to make a difference while they鈥檙e here,鈥� he said.

All those who spoke Wednesday gave a special nod to their newest colleague, Bushman, who took over as BC鈥檚 president June 1.

Bushman鈥檚 rundown of Bridgewater news included the campus鈥� groundbreaking for a renovation of Nininger Hall, which houses sports facilities and the college鈥檚 Health and Human sciences, and a 鈥渞evitalization鈥� of general education programs.

Bushman also said he was looking forward to hearing from the business community as he transitions into the role of president.

鈥淭his is a unique community [that has] a diversity of higher- education offerings,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e could not do our job well without your support.鈥�

Courtesy Daily News Record, Aug. 8, 2013

Total giving to 91短视频 for the 2012-13 fiscal year was $6,277,000, a 24 percent increase from the $5,059,000 given to 91短视频 in the previous year. The most recent fiscal year was the second-best year for overall fundraising in the past decade, behind $6,562,000 in total support in the 2005-06 fiscal year.

CASE recognized 91短视频 as one of five 鈥渟uperior fundraising programs鈥� in its peer group, after a blind review of fundraising data over the past three years. Also recognized in 91短视频鈥檚 category were Abilene Christian University, Gonzaga University, the Rochester Institute of Technology and Union University.

鈥�91短视频 continues to benefit from a very loyal core of alumni donors and individual friends of the university,鈥� said , vice president for advancement. 鈥淲e are very pleased to report that our efforts to increase the giving participation of alumni and current parents continues to bear fruit.鈥�

The university was supported by a total of 3,830 donors last year, up from 3,565 the previous year. The number of alumni donor households increased from 1,942 to 1,995 from 2012 to 2013. Gifts from parents of current students increased from 53 to 86 over the same period, while gifts from parents of former students increased from 231 to 236.

The also enjoyed its best year to date, receiving more than $1.5 million in gifts and commitments last year. Through the end of June, the campaign had raised $5.9 million. Shisler anticipates reaching the campaign goal of $7 million during the current 2013-14 fiscal year.

Gifts to the , 91短视频鈥檚 unrestricted annual fund, totaled $1,767,000, while $358,000 was received in new gifts to the university鈥檚 endowment funds. The endowment funds support student financial aid, facilities maintenance and various academic programs.

鈥�91短视频 is especially fortunate to have a donor constituency of alumni and friends who support the institution in three significant ways,鈥� says Shisler. 鈥淸This happens] through consistent annual giving, through periodic capital giving to support our capital projects, and, increasingly, through people incorporating 91短视频 into estate plans to make a major gift to 91短视频 at the end of their lives.鈥�

Over the past year, 50 people included 91短视频 in their estate plans, bringing the size of the to 547.

The alumni giving rate now stands at about 23 percent. That is well above the national average for all universities (13%), and compares favorably to 91短视频鈥檚 peer institutions in Virginia as well as other Mennonite colleges.

鈥淲hen I was a student here in 1995, I knew I wanted to return some day as faculty or staff,鈥� said Horning. 鈥淎s a student here I felt like a balloon that had lifted off the earth. Suddenly my horizons seemed endless. I have always wanted to help other students have that experience.鈥�

Horning is responsible for both seminary fundraising and recruiting of students. He aims to grow the seminary annual fund and build a $2 million dollar scholarship endowment.

鈥淭he current economic situation makes it a challenging time to raise money,鈥� he says, 鈥淏ut I see great possibilities for strengthening small givers and broadening our base of supporters.鈥�

Actually, Horning says hard times prompt many people to focus on what is really important, including a strong seminary preparing much-needed church and community leaders.

鈥淧eople are looking for things to believe in and to belong to,鈥� he says.

In his admissions duties, Horning is working in tandem with Anita Fonseca, a new seminary student and admissions assistant, from Chile, both will work under the leadership of Laura Amstutz, MDiv 鈥�06, director of seminary admissions.

Horning earned a BS from 91短视频 in 1986, majoring in biology and chemistry. He completed an MDiv here in 1998. He and his wife Crystal have two daughters, 20-year-old Anya at 91短视频 and Alanah, 18.

Kirk L. Shisler, vice president for advancement, reported that contributions of $1,857,265 to the University Fund set a new record, surpassing the 2007 annual fund total of $1,764,068 by $93,197 or 5.3 percent.

“We are very grateful to our loyal alumni and friends for their increased support, especially in the midst of an uncertain economic climate,” Shisler added.

In addition to a successful year for 91短视频’s annual fund, Shisler reported that giving to 91短视频’s endowment fund was also up. Gifts to the endowment totaled $1,102,162 representing an increase of 46 percent over the previous year.

According to Shisler, this was the second year in the past ten when gifts to the 91短视频 endowment surpassed the $1 million mark.

A combination of outright gifts and bequests from donors’ estates accounted for the contributions to 91短视频’s endowment fund. For example, 91短视频’s seminary benefited from a gift of $338,000 to establish an endowed fund for its clinical pastoral education program, which prepares students to serve in a hospital ministries.

Among the bequests 91短视频 received this past year was an estate gift from the late Dr. Daniel B. Suter, who pioneered 91短视频’s biology and pre-med program. Suter’s bequest of $77,325 has been added to the Daniel B. Suter Chair in support of scholarships for biology majors at 91短视频.

During the 2007-08 fiscal year, 91短视频 also received over $2.1 million in restricted gifts and grants. These contributions supported a broad range of 91短视频 programs and projects as specifically designated by the donor. Both academic and athletic programs benefited from these restricted gifts.

“We are extremely grateful to our alumni, friends, faculty-staff and special partners whose generous contributions resulted in another record year of annual support for 91短视频,” said Loren Swartzendruber, 91短视频 president.

“91短视频 benefits from an especially loyal group of donors whose passion for the university and its mission is consistently reflected in generous giving to undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs.”

By Dan Wright, Daily News-Record

One of the things Karl Stoltzfus learned at 91短视频 was to do the math.

A statistics class taught the 1972 graduate and founder of Dynamic Aviation to mitigate risk in a high-risk business.

“What’s the statistical probability of something happening?” Stoltzfus asked. “Then, how many factors can you set in place to mitigate against that happening?”

91短视频 President Loren Swartzendruber (right) and 91短视频 graduate and founder of Dynamic Aviation Karl Stoltzfus chat after the Harrisonburg Rockingham Business & Professional Club Annual Appreciation Luncheon Friday. Photo by Michael Reilly

Stoltzfus spoke Friday to about 70 members of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Business & Professional Club, which partners with 91短视频.

As an example of risk mitigation, he cited the company’s decision to fly only multiengine aircraft. If one engine fails, the aircraft is capable of flying to the next airport.

If a single-engine aircraft loses its engine, you have what Stoltzfus calls an “off-airport emergency landing.”

Stoltzfus estimates that over a 15-year period his company avoided seven to 12 off-airport emergency landings by not flying single-engine aircraft.

“We fly a lot at night. We fly over the world’s most dense rain forest in southern Panama,” he said. “We don’t want an airplane flying over that terrain with one engine.”

Funding Priorities

Before Stoltzfus spoke, 91短视频 President Loren Swartzendruber summarized some funding priorities as the university prepares to launch a capital campaign.

91短视频 should increase annual contributions to the University Fund by 7 percent annually over the next five years, with a goal of $1.9 million.

The university’s endowment fund needs to be increased from $24 million to $40 million by 2014.

“Twenty-four million dollars is too small for an institution [with an enrollment of 1,600],” Swartzendruber said.

New science labs and renovation of Suter Science Center will require $30 million in contributions and grants, he added.

Renovation of the University Commons will cost $8.3 million, and an alumnus has contributed $3 million as a matching gift.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, 91短视频 is among Harrisonburg’s top 10 employers, with a work force of 360 people.

Each year, the university spends $16 million on salaries and benefits and pumps $21 million into the Shenandoah Valley’s economy.

Over its 90-year history, 20,000 teachers, nurses, social workers and business leaders have graduated from 91短视频, Swartzendruber said.

“91短视频 does have an economic impact on this community,” he added.

91短视频 At A Glance

• Founded 1917
• Enrollment 1,600
• Faculty & Staff 360
• Payroll $16.3 million
• Annual budget $28 million
• Economic Impact on the Shenandoah Valley $21 million

The trip’s purpose: exercise, fellowship and fund raising for Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, Pa. The group spent three nights of the ride at campgrounds and one night at a lodge on the Skyline Drive.

Fourteen of the participants are 91短视频 alumni (l. to r.):

• Phil Helmuth, Harrisonburg
• Cliff Lind, Harrisonburg
• Emery Yoder, Harrisonburg
• Glen Lapp, Lancaster, Pa.
• Justin Shenk, Akron, Pa.
• David Martin, Akron
• Charity Shenk, Akron
• Paul A. Yoder, Harrisonburg
• Harry Mast, Broadway, Va.
• Jack Rutt, Harrisonburg
• Dayvid Graybill, Colorado Springs, Colo.
• Don Bomberger (foreground), Harrisonburg
• Gloria Rutt, Harrisonburg
• Mary Glick, Harrisonburg

Phil N. Helmuth, executive director of development and director of church relations at 91短视频, rides in the bike tour. (Photo by Jim Bishop)

"The tour was a well-organized and -supported effort to tour with friends who share a passion for biking and for the work of Mennonite Central Committee around the world," said Phil N. Helmuth, executive director of development and director of church relations at 91短视频.

The group raised some $10,000 that will benefit MCC’s peace work, including the Anabaptist churches in Columbia who have suffered a four-decades-long conflict in that country.

These churches and other MCC partner organizations provide food, basic supplies, counseling and job training to people who have been displaced by violence.

Photos by Jim Bishop.