Mark Oldenburg Crosses Finish Line in Chicago to Cleveland Bike Trek; Raises $14K for Open Arms Home for Children

      Despite temperatures hovering near 90 degrees each day, Lake Bluff resident Mark Oldenburg completed his three-day, 375-mile solo charity bike ride from Chicago to Cleveland more than an hour ahead of schedule this Saturday. His efforts have raised nearly $14,000 in donations to date for Open Arms Home for Children, which provides a loving residential environment for children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic in South Africa.

     Oldenburg cycled an average of 125 miles per day, making overnight stops in Nappanee, Indiana and Bowling Green, Ohio before heading to the finish line in Rocky River, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. A surprise police escort made for an exciting last four miles for Oldenburg who crossed the finish line to cheers and applause from a crowd of family, friends and local media.

     “Open Road for Open Arms,” was the theme for Oldenburg’s journey which started on Thursday, June 20th from the start of the bike path on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago and ended June 22 at the home of his parents in Rocky River.

     Oldenburg’s original goal for his ride was to raise $7,500. Donations were close to double that amount. When asked if he was pleased with the results Oldenburg said, “I was overwhelmed by the generosity of my family and friends. They knew how important it was to me to make a difference for these kids, and they put their financial and emotional support behind me and made it happen. Open Arms Home can support a child for one year for around $1,200. With the money this ride has raised Open Arms will be able to take care of 11 children for a full year, or provide one year of private school education for up to four older children. To think that doing something as simple as riding my bike could make this kind of a difference is just amazing to me.”

      The Open Road for Open Arms website will continue to accept donations through July 6. Those wishing to recognize Oldenburg’s effort and support the children of Open Arms can go to www.gofundme.com/3703kw to donate and learn more.