LA CENTER SCHOOL DISTRICT Superintendent Mark Mansell plans to embark on a 3,500-mile journey this summer, riding his bicycle from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine to raise money for Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Next fall, students in the La Center School District are going to return to their classes with stories of what they did during their summer vacation. If all goes as planned, those students are going to have a hard time topping the summer adventure of their superintendent.
Mark Mansell, superintendent of La Center Schools, plans to embark on a 3,500-mile journey this summer, riding his bicycle from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. Mansell isn’t just looking for a little exercise, or the personal satisfaction of attaining a goal. He’s doing it for a good cause.
Mansell, a member of the La Center Lions Club, is making the trek across the country to raise money for Leader Dogs for the Blind. His goal is to raise at least $35,000 in order to help provide someone in need of a service dog.
“I enjoy challenges and I love to learn,” Mansell said. “Given the chance to attempt something like this is a very special opportunity that is extremely exciting.”
Mansell said his motivation came from a strong desire to do service work through the La Center Lions Club.
“Given the time commitments of my job, I have not really been able to participate in many Lions’ (Club) functions beyond our local community,’’ Mansell said. “When my school board gave me a two-month sabbatical, I jumped at the idea of working to support Leader Dogs.”
In order to achieve his goal of raising $35,000, Mansell and other Lions Club members are working to secure nearly 1,000 sponsors as part of a “penny per mile’’ effort for the Leader Dogs cause. All donations of $35 or more will receive a Cycling for Leader Dogs vest pin commemorating the solo cross country bike trip.
Mansell said the Leader Dogs for the Blind has become a cause close to his heart.
“More than half of my nine years as a Lion, I had no idea about Leader Dogs for the Blind,” Mansell said.
Leader Dogs have served the blind and visually impaired for nearly 75 years, providing more than 14,000 service dogs free of charge to those in need. All Leader Dog services are provided free of charge. Funding for Leader Dogs is provided by private, corporate and Foundational donations.
Lions Clubs are a key part of Leader Dog funding, providing more than $2 million dollars in support each year. Cycling for Leader Dogs is an effort to help support the work of Leader Dogs.
“When I complete this journey, if you don’t know about Leader Dogs and the great work they do, I will feel as though I have failed,” Mansell added.
Mansell will leave his home in La Center on June 16 and he expects to be in Portland, Maine no later than August 17. More information on the trip can be found on his website at www.cyclingforleaderdogs.org.
Mansell also plans to complete a blog chronicling his journey so those interested can follow along. Donations can also be made through his website directly to Leader Dogs for the Blind.
