Heading south to Wilmington Delaware, I realized I had not set a meeting with the DCADV, I called as I left on my thirty minute drive to this city. Forty minutes later, I am sitting in their offices with; Carol Post Executive Director, Stephanie Merrell Director of Communications and Development, Sara Mersch Policy and Economic Justice Specialist and Marilyn Siebold Mental Health and Trauma Associate. What dedication these women have to put together a meeting on such short notice. I was impressed and honored all at the same time. We covered so many interesting facts about Domestic Violence, facts which will help in shaping my talks with all parties affected by this issue. We also discussed the various programs they have to address this problem in our society. Thank you to everyone at the DCADV.
Today’s short bicycle ride of twenty eight miles was made a bit easier by stopping in at the Moose for a quick visit. The Moose do such great work for children and seniors alike. I am proud to be a member of such a wonderful organization.

Making my way through Philadelphia, I couldn’t help but stop at Alex’s Lemonade Foundation. The fine people who work here, raise money for cancer research for children. In 2000, four year old Alexandra Scott overheard that there wasn’t enough money to make sick kids at the hospital, well. Alex decided to have a lemonade stand to raise money. The story of Alex’s Lemonade is a must read for everyone. Please visit www.alexslemonade.org to learn of the great things they do and their upcoming annual fund raiser.
Heading south to Chester PA, The Kindness Bicycle Tour has never heard any more well wishes as I have pedaled along my route. The response is a big lift for me as, some days, it seems that I am continually riding up a hill. Today was one of those days.

Before heading out of Philadelphia, I stopped at Independence Charter School. I heard from 2 different people about the great job everyone is doing at this school and how they would love The Kindness Bus, and  they were correct.

Bogart, did you break the Liberty Bell?
Heading into Philadelphia and riding through the historic district of this city, I was able to get great exposure for The Bicycle Tour’s two causes to the tens of thousands of visitors and its residents. On the lawn, across from Independence Hall, a party was being assembled; I had to go and see what it was. “Feel the Vibration” was the theme of this party, which brought together musicians, artisans and educators for a day of information and  fun for anyone who wanted to be a part of the festivities. Thousands of people attended this free event which also offered free dinner and drinks. This first ever, very big event was planned in a few short months by a group of young woman who wanted to do something good for their city; a huge act of kindness no doubt.
This City of Brotherly Love, collectively opened its arms, to welcome The Kindness Bus Tour and Kindness Bicycle Tour to raise awareness for Domestic Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse. Thank you Philadelphia.

Today, an opportunity presented itself which made a great deal of sense to me. While heading through Princeton on this Saturday morning, the weather was perfect and there were thousands of people walking the streets. How could I pass up the chance to have this much visibility for The Kindness Bus and The Kindness Bicycle Tour. The decision was quickly made to ride today’s forty miles through the streets of Princeton, talk about the right call. For 7 hours we rode and had conversations with interested parties about The Kindness Bicycle tour’s mission.
Jan and Katie were 2 of the many people we talked with today. Jan was immediately struck by the powerful signs attached to my bike. Jan used to work at a rape crisis center and Katie with helping the homeless. This evening we had the pleasure of having dinner and staying at the home of Jan and her husband, Finn. The generosity and hospitality of this couple was evident in everything they did for us during our stay.

Today was the day to rest from the two hundred twenty miles or so that we have logged since The Kindness Bicycle Tour began. Clearly the bicycle I am using is not the most aerodynamic and the energy expended is about double of a road bike, but I keep telling myself that I am getting some great exercise.
The thank you list grows each day with so many people reaching out to help. Regan and Mary, friends from Vero Beach arranged overnight accommodations and hosted a sit down dinner with 3 generations of their family. Thank you to Father Alex of Saint Alphonsus church in Hopewell NJ. We spent 2 nights, using their laundry and party room as a home base for The Kindness Bus Tour while in their town.
We are meeting some great people with amazing stories of hope and courage. Nathan, who is videotaping this entire trip is getting some amazing footage for a documentary. Sundance, here we come.

The Kindness Bicycle Tour is beginning its push to meet with all parties involved in Domestic Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse. For the entire 6 month period, we will meet with survivors, support groups, health providers, first responders, etc…
Today we met with the great people at Woman Aware in New Brunswick, NJ.  The staff at this small office tackles all of the issues it is faced with from counseling to providing safe care for those in need. In our half hour meeting, it was easy to see the passion each individual had for providing the service to those seeking help. The hope that is offered with the chance at a safe, fresh start is the type of refuge that most of these women and children haven’t seen in years.

Starting the day at a coffee shop to give me an added boost, I ran into a forty year old woman who told me about her fourteen years of abuse as a very young child and the challenges it has created throughout her life. She agreed that a goal of kindness can help to heal. “You’re on the right track” she said when I told her having a lifetime goal of One Million Acts Of Kindness will end all Domestic Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse.   Making my way from Rutgers to Elizabeth NJ and back, I got caught in 3 downpours. My rain gear offered very little protection for this type of deluge. I met Matt and Brian at Station 6 in Menlo Park NJ during my ride. They said that far too often they hear of these 2 issues, it is everywhere.
Thank you to Douglas Koko for letting me stay at the Rutgers Football Stadium and Chris Mackin for arranging my stays the past 3 nights.