LSSM riders raise $3,600 at Ride for Refuge Oct. 1

On a chilly fall morning, three teams of cyclists rode in the annual Ride for Refuge event in support of the West Michigan office of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan’s Refugee Services program. The riders began and finished at Byron Center Christian School's East Campus.

“It was cold, but worth our while," said Dana Doll, LSSM refugee case worker.

Dana was the captain of Team LSSM, with 14 riders. Her brother, Dave Doll, was the captain of a team of 10 riders from Hudsonville Christian School, where Dave is a teacher. And Phil Poholski was captain of a three-member team from Grace Lutheran Church in Hastings.

They rode their bicycles, with support from family and friends, to strengthen the Refugee Resettlement program Lutheran Social Services, which assists the displaced, vulnerable and exploited who have fled their homelands and have arrived in West Michigan to make a new life.

The LSSM teams raised $3,648 in support of our Refugee Services program in West Michigan. This was a wonderful finish to LSSM's first year of participation in Ride for Refuge. Many thanks go to those who rode, and those who gave in support of them, for the benefit of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan and our refugees.