This Spring, I will join thousands of other cyclists and the American Lung Association in a virtual journey across Maine while raising money to fight lung disease and increase awareness about the importance of lung health.
The Trek became very personal for our familly nine year's ago. My wife , Jackie, after years of thinking about joined her fellow co-workers (The Tom's of Maine Trekkers) for the ride and had a life changing experience doing so. Brooke, Nicole and I volunteered and worked at one of the rest stops each day and were moved by the whole experience.
The Trek was over Father's Day weekend and my Dad at the time had just been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer two weeks before the Trek. So needless to say that really added to the emotions of the whole weekend. We were lucky enough to learn about a 12 year old girl riding the Trek in honor of her Grandmother who had died of lung cancer. As the girls and I waited at the finish line for Jackie we saw this young lady lead her team of about 25 riders across the finish line. It was something I will never forget.
Exactly one week later my Dad passed away. Brooke and I decided that we would join Jackie and the rest of Tom's Team in 2013 for the Trek. We did it in memory of my Dad, Paul Villinski. He was a great father, a great grandfather and a great friend to me. We are excited to be able to do it in his honor as a family that year. Over the years since I have ridden each year and the girls have either ridden or volunteered at the rest stops. This year I will ride and Jackie,Brooke and Nicole will volunteer.
The girls and I have been overwhelmed each year by the financial support from our family and firends. We would greatly appreciate any and all support again this year.
Thank you in advance for you support!
