Bicyclists pedaled in pursuit of raising money for homeless families in need this weekend as Family Promise of Carbon County held their fourth annual Cycle Out Homelessness event.

Beginning at Weissport Park, participants rode their bikes north to Glen Onoko and back, resulting in a total of about 14 miles. Starting this year, people were not only limited to biking, but they could also choose to walk a 5K south as well.

In addition to riding bikes or walking, there was a lot to do upon returning to the park. People could listen to music provided by Startracks DJ Services, take part in the basket raffle or the 50/50.

Cosplayers Care, a nonprofit organization based in Reading, were in attendance as well to entertain children at the event with volunteers dressed up as characters like Superman, Raven from Teen Titans and even Velma from Scooby-Doo.

Some of the bicyclists there were Jamie Solomon and her husband Bill, residents of Jim Thorpe who were attending the Family Promise event for the first time.

Jamie Solomon noted that she enjoyed the social aspect of being able to interact with the community and praised the event.

“I loved it. It was well-organized and the people couldn’t have been any nicer. It was a great ride and a beautiful day,” she said.

Solomon applauded the work that Family Promise has done to assist those facing homelessness and expressed the importance of supporting their efforts.

“I’m glad that they’re bringing it to light because it is a big problem and I wish more people would get involved.”

Solomon said that she would be sure to attend again next year.

“I just want to thank everybody who ran this. They were very, very nice and they told you everything that was expected and more and they treated everybody so nice. It was great.”

Family Promise of Carbon County Executive Director Lori Hoffmaster said that the organization does more than just find housing for families. They also help with counseling, aiding people to find jobs and overall aiming to provide any services necessary as determined by the families and their goals.

She noted the importance of Family Promise’s work in the community, stating the impact of homelessness on young children and the urgency needed in helping families attain stability.

“The average age of a child who is homeless is about 6 years of age and a lot of trauma can happen as a result of that. So as soon as we can get kids and their parents housed and stable, the better it is for everyone’s emotional health.”

Hoffmaster explained that the event greatly benefited the group, especially given the negative impacts that COVID-19 has had on nonprofit organizations in recent years. She also thanked the community for their support throughout everything as well as the recent expansion of the shelter to Nesquehoning.

“Fundraisers like this really help to offset extra expenses. A lot of nonprofits have struggled because of the last couple of years, but we have a lot of community support. And our move to Nesquehoning received a lot of private and public grants so there’s been a lot of good support as we expand our shelter there.”

Hoffmaster concluded by expressing the importance of debunking myths surrounding homelessness and reducing the stigma associated with it.

“I think there’s a lot of myths that need to be challenged. People think in negative or stereotypical away about people that are homeless, but it can happen to anyone. Just trying to diminish that stigma that’s out there is good advocacy for us and any other homeless provider.”

For more information on Family Promise of Carbon County, visit the organization’s website at www.familypromisecarboncounty.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FamilyPromiseofCarbonCounty.