Southern Nebraska Register
Father Tony Schukei, assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish in David City, will participate in his second “Biking for Babies” ride next month.
Biking for Babies was started in 2009 by two men in Illinois who wanted to do more for the pro-life cause. Since then, the organization has raised more than a million dollars in donations to help support more than 100 pregnancy resource centers. Donors support specific cyclists in their sacrificial rides.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to participate with Biking for Babies as a missionary for a second year,” Father Schukei said. “I am looking forward to being on the new Nebraska route, which starts in my home state as we make our way to Saint Louis, via bicycles and with the Gospel of Life in our hearts!”
He said he asked himself last year, when he was thinking of joining Biking for Babies for the first time, why he would voluntarily accept the task, on top of all the duties at the parish during the summer, and to ask people to consider financially donating to the cause.
“Simply put,” he said, “it was this: Human life has immense dignity and, unfortunately, our culture is losing sight of this reality. As far as I can gather, there are not many opportunities for me in David City to participate in a proximate way in promoting the dignity of human life. By partnering with Biking for Babies I can do something I love – ride my bike – to promote a culture of life. I ask that you consider financially supporting this mission of assisting the work of pregnancy resource centers.”
The riders – some 92 missionaries on nine different routes – will offer their rides for mothers and children in need. Now in its 15th year, Biking for Babies has formed 216 young adult missionaries who have cycled more than 31,000 miles, raised awareness and over $1.61 million for 127 pregnancy centers.
Executive Director Nikki Biese said women served by pregnancy centers “are looking for hope in their crisis; they find hope as well as a voice saying they can do this, and we are here to help. Women are welcomed and loved unconditionally, and these centers extend that love to their unborn children, born children, and families. Our team is driven to provide countless more women that hope and to bring about a world where advocating the thriving of all, from conception to natural death, is not only the best option, but the only conceivable option.”
To learn more, visit www.bikingforbabies.com.
