Spreading Awareness: Wisconsin-Nicaragua Partners Host Annual Bike/Hike Event

Throughout the month of October, the Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas (WNP) hosted their 17th annual Bike/Hike event. The goal was to cumulatively walk, bike, and hike 2,350 miles, which is the distance between Nicaragua and Wisconsin, in order to raise awareness for the organization and their humanitarian efforts.

Anyone was welcome to sign up. Miles could be recorded individually to add to the total, making it possible to fit into a busy schedule. People from Wisconsin, surrounding states, and even in Nicaragua participated during the month long event.

Participants were not limited to walking or biking either, as swimming and even square dancing were recorded during past years. The event could have been done individually or with others.

“We host a couple of organized walks during the month. A group of us will go out to Schmeeckle to get outside,” said Wiza. “We’re not focused on the exact mileage. What you can do is take all the steps for a day and multiply it by 31, especially if you’re joining halfway through the month. You just need an estimate, because people are busy, and it’s about getting out and being active.”

The event has a far reach, but the intention is to continue getting more people involved. The Bike/Hike event began as a fundraiser in 2006, though the organization soon discovered the value in spreading awareness. Seventeen years later, the WNP strives to get more people active outside, moving away from the fundraising aspect of the project.

Wiza noted that with national “Make a Difference Day” being on Oct. 28, the Bike/Hike offered a convenient way for students with busy class schedules to get involved throughout the month. The theme for this year’s national event was “making an impact by lending a hand and spreading kindness, contributing to brighter days for others and fostering a stronger community.”

Wiza said, “It’s a good way for students to get an introduction to international experience…and there are also plenty of other opportunities for people to volunteer here.”

While the Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners have been spreading awareness with their Bike/Hike event for the past 17 years, the organization has existed since 1965, sending aid to communities in need and promoting multicultural relations, primarily in Nicaragua.

Their warehouse, located on North 2nd Drive in Stevens Point, is full of volunteers on the third Thursday of every month. They pack supplies donated by the community and have a potluck afterwards. School supplies, sports equipment, backpacks, bicycles, and desks are just a few of the items that are shipped, and anyone is welcome to volunteer.

The WNP also undertakes a variety of humanitarian initiatives to help Nicaraguan communities.

Betty Pionek, vice president of the organization, said, “The Denton program is a big part of what we do here as well. We work to get ambulances and firetrucks shipped out to Nicaragua with ‘Firefighters United’…It’s complicated because we have to build the ramp for these vehicles to even fit onto the plane. They’re pretty big things.”

Another program that the organization maintains is the “Eyeglass Project,” which works to provide glasses to almost 10,000 people each year. The Lions Camp, located in Rosholt, WI, provides donated glasses that are sent to Nicaragua.

“I have pictures from my visit of people sitting in the sun lining up to get glasses,” said Pionek.

The WNP continues to maintain the relationship with friends in Nicaragua through the many programs they carry out. The annual Bike/Hike is one way that people can get involved with the international effort, get outside, and make a difference.

Abigail Cherek

News Reporter

[email protected]