A group raising money for Watts of Love, which works to literally bring light, in the form of sustainable solar light, to people in parts of the world without electricity, will be riding through the Shenandoah Valley next week on its fourth annual 1,000 Miles for 1,000 Lights ride.
The fundraising goal for the group of five recreational endurance cyclists – Don Weber, Scott Hein, Todd Wilson, John Ziegler and Jon Lehman – is $75,000, where every $50 donated puts a solar-powered light into the hands of a family in need.
The group disembarked from Downers Grove, Ill., in the Chicago metro area, on Sept. 17, with the goal of getting to Herndon in Northern Virginia, the DC suburbs, on Sept. 30.
Two of the five riders are Virginians: Jon Lehman is a native of Spotsylvania, and Don Weber is a native of Reston.
Jessica Hein, Scott’s wife, reached out to me about what they’re all doing.
Jessica drives the support vehicle, which is there to help with snacks and sports drinks, and any repair needs on the trip.
She said the 1,000 Miles for 1,000 Lights ride began after she and her husband “traveled to Malawi with Watts of Love in 2022 and saw firsthand what access to safe solar light can mean for a family.”
“Scott came home wanting to do something to help. His idea was to ride 1,000 miles and try to raise enough money for 1,000 solar lights,” she said.
That became 1,000 Miles for 1,000 Lights.
An estimated 1.2 billion people worldwide live without access to electricity, either in whole or in part.
The group will arrive in Harrisonburg on Monday, Sept. 28, on one of the last legs of the ride, which covers in the area of 70 miles per day.
Want to help: facebook.com/1000miles1000lights
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Chris Graham
