***** News Release *****
For Immediate Release
Phone: 508-481-7302, 508-615-1000, or 207-217-0302
THEHOPELINE TOUR OF 2014 ENDS IN EAST TROY, PA, AFTER 4,344 MILES
On July 3, Tim and Debbie Bishop left Manzanita, Oregon, on bicycles, heading east through the state of Oregon and beyond. The Bishops, both 56, volunteer as Hope Coaches for TheHopeLine. They had set out to raise awareness and needed funds for TheHopeLine. On October 12, after 4,344 miles and with only 7-10 days remaining, their trek ended in East Troy, Pennsylvania, with a broken arm. To date, the Bishops have raised over $18,000 for TheHopeLine.
“Wow! What an awesome trip,” said Tim Bishop, who pointed out that they receive absolutely no compensation from TheHopeLine. “In addition to the bicycling adventure, we were able to make others aware of TheHopeLine and some heavy issues facing young people today, such as suicide and cutting. Plus, we challenged people to support TheHopeLine.” Thus far, 76 people have pledged support.
According to Debbie, who suffered a chipped bone in her elbow after a low-speed fall on the final day, “We handled just over 30 interactions while we were on the road this summer. Of those, eight were suicide interventions. That gives you a feel for just how significant a problem youth suicide has become.”
In 2013 alone, TheHopeLine intervened in the lives of over 3,000 young people who were struggling with suicidal thoughts. TheHopeLine was founded as the rescue arm of the Dawson McAllister Association in 1991 to offer a listening ear, encouragement, biblically based advice of clear thinking and right values to callers and chatters from around the globe. The founder, Dawson McAllister, has been speaking to and on behalf of teenagers and young adults for over 40 years. As an author, radio personality, and lecturer, he has impacted millions of young people. Youth are connected to TheHopeLine through McAllister’s radio programming as well as thehopeline.com website.
Although the bicycling is over, the Bishops would still like to raise additional funds for the work of TheHopeLine. Those who wish to pledge money to TheHopeLine as part of the Bishops’ $100,000 fundraising goal may pledge online by 11/7/14 at https://openroadpress.com/links/thehopeline-tour-2014/pledge-form/. All payments will be processed by the Dawson McAllister Association.
Tim and Debbie Bishop of Marlborough, Massachusetts, were lifelong singles before marrying one another in 2010 at age 52. Tim, a long-time resident of Maine, is now a small-business consultant and author after 26 years in corporate finance. Debbie is a schoolteacher with a passion for physical exercise and recovery ministries. They have co-authored two bicycle-touring books and Tim has authored a business book, which they’ve published through their own publishing company, Open Road Press. Catch their blog, which includes pictures and stories from their most recent tour, at www.openroadpress.com.