What’s Next? Of course, ride across America on a bike.

What Next?  Of course, ride across America on a bike.
By Branden Camp

Volunteers pose for a photo while holding their bikes. (Photo Credit: ISF)

It’s normal to see a group of teenagers standing on the corner of an intersection holding up signs asking to wash your car for a donation or a college organization selling baked goods for a buck.

Cheryl Wolfinger, CEO of International Sports Federation (ISF), has a different approach to raising money and awareness for her organization.

After a team of ISF volunteers summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, Wolfinger through many encounters with friends saw her next challenge. She is currently planning a ride across America to raise money and awareness for ISF.

International Sports Federation, who has mobilized over 9,000 volunteers in over 160 countries, gives people the opportunity to travel and share their faith with those in different cultures.

Past volunteer Jennifer Zila said, "It not only serves dozens of international communities each year, but also allows the team members exposure to new cultures and an expanded worldview."

Immediately upon returning from Tanzania to her home in Acworth, Ga., her doctor helped her carry her baggage inside and he noticed a bike. He suggested Cheryl ride across America to raise money and awareness for ISF.

Feet still bloody and soar from the climbing, she made it clear that planning the next big idea was not high on her list.

She began to loose sleep over the thought of not pursuing such a huge challenge. She loved cycling.

“I’m not built to run, I am not built to swim, but I’m built to hammer on bike”, said Wolfinger.

After Wolfinger realized that this is the next big challenge she needed to bring to her organization, she began to think about what they would need to be successful.

Wolfinger prayed about ISF's needs and she knew they would need an RV to travel in. Within a few days she was contacted by someone randomly on Facebook. This person donated an RV to ISF to use in anyway they wished.

Wolfinger had her answer. It was clear that she was headed in the right direction.

The ride across america is planned to start on Sept. 1, 2015. The team will start in San Diego and plans to ride 3100 miles across the nation.