Oak Forest Teen Pedals for Charity

Plenty of kids get good advice about how important it is to help others. But when Nic Aspan heard his football coach urge the team to do something to help others, it really hit home—and it’s still resonating.

Four years ago, Oak Forest Raiders coach Scott Erickson extended a challenge to his players: Do something that benefits someone else. Volunteer. Run a race. Do something for your community.

On November 8, Nic, a 13-year-old from Oak Forest, is pledging to ride his bike 30 miles, and he’s asking friends, family and local residents to donate food to Together We Cope in a show of support.

It will be the fourth year he has hit the road for TWC, but his first year racking up the miles indoors, since he’ll be riding on a stationary bike at the Oak Forest Park District’s fitness center. Originally, he lapped the trail at Yankee Woods Forest Preserve. But two years ago, the temperature was wintry, and last year he took a bad fall that wrecked his handlebars, forcing him to go back a second day to finish up with his dad’s bike.

Every year as word got around, support poured in, with people leaving donations on the Aspan’s porch and in the yard. Some wrote checks as well. The first year, he collected 586 nonperishable items for TWC. The second year, he collected 285 items and nearly $300. Last year, he and his family stopped by TWC to drop off 12 bags of food, checks totaling $130 and another $349 in cash donations.

This year, people are welcome to drop off donations at the Oak Forest Park District’s Health and Fitness Center, 15601 South Central Ave., starting Nov. 8, where Nic will begin his bike ride at 9 a.m. Donations may be dropped off the following week as well.

TWC Executive Director Kathryn Straniero gave Nic a shout-out last year on Facebook. “Way to go Nicholas!” she wrote. “Thank you for your donations and for bringing attention to a growing need in Oak Forest and our surrounding communities. No one should ever go hungry!”

Together We Cope provides resources to families in temporary crisis in 27 south suburban communities, enabling them to stay in their homes. Of every dollar the agency receives, 93 cents goes to client programs and services. In 2015, TWC received its fifth four-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management. For information, visit togetherwecope.org.

Caption: Nic Aspan, who was inspired by his Oak Forest Raiders Football Coach Scott Erickson to help his community, will ride his bike 30 miles on Nov. 8 to inspire others to donate food to Together We Cope.