NILES — Spreading awareness of the abilities of all people is one of the goals of the Journey of Hope cycling team, which travels across the country and stops in many places, including Niles.

The team, which travels 12,000 miles from the west coast to the east coast, made a visit to Fairhaven School over the weekend.

Stephanie Champlin, executive director of the Fairhaven Foundation, said the visit from Journey of Hope riders is a very anticipated event.

“They look forward to this experience every year to get the chance to interact with the Journey of Hope team. It is such a wonderful opportunity for inclusion and celebrating abilities. It is always a memorable experience that people carry with them throughout the year,” Champlin said.

She said many of the students enjoy getting to meet people from across the country and spending time at the dance. The cross country ride has taken place for more than 30 years,

Rider Tommy Kulinski of Illinois, who handles public relations for Journey of Hope, said there are two groups of 19 riders, with one taking a northern route and the second taking a more central route. The group that visited Fairhaven was the northern route riders.

Their trip began on June 8 and will end Aug. 10 in Washington, D.C. Kulinski said each rider raises funds by cycling and each member averages $7,000. The team that visited Niles had raised $420,000 and their goal is $500,000.

The 64-day routes stay about the same each year, Kulinski said.

Rider Bud Riley of Alabama said the cyclists were glad to reach Ohio after cycling in many states with a lot of corn fields.

“Driving on wet roads could be a challenge. We were getting sprayed from all the water,” Riley said.

He said he had heard about the cross-country ride and was glad to have the opportunity to participate this year. Riley said he and others learn a lot from the many people they visit while traveling across the country.

Riley said the team attends many dance parties. In Niles, they went to a Scrappers game.

“As soon as this year’s event is over, everyone starts talking about all the fun and Journey of Hope coming back next year. Everyone has a good time,” said Ed Stark, superintendent of the Trumbull County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Rhonda Rich of Liberty said she likes attending the event each summer.

“We get to enjoy ourselves and dance with the bicyclists and get our picture taken. They always ask if we are having a good day,” she said.

Anna Wojciak of Howland said she likes to dance and sing and it gets to be really fun with all the visitors also dancing.

Her mother, Carli Wojciak, said Anna loves all the interaction and things to do.

“She always talks about this dance and also the riders who visit the school,” Carli said.

She said the event not only brings awareness of people’s abilities, but also provides a day of fun.

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