Cyclists raise money for Hope for the Warriors

Five cyclists rode into the parking lot of Marine Federal Credit Union Friday afternoon in Havelock.

It had been a long day. Heat and humidity nipped at their wheels for their entire 79-mile ride. There was a wrong turn, a flat tire.

Eventually they reached their destination, that parking lot where they could finally get off their bikes, get hydrated and talk about why they made such a journey — the Hope for the Warriors organization.

"It was hot and tough, but that’s nothing compared to how tough it is for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially for those who are wounded," said John Radebaugh, N.C. Credit Union League president/CEO and a member of the Team Little Guy group of cyclists that made the ride on Friday.

The group with the backing of the N.C. Credit Union League left Thursday on a ride that would include trips by Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune.

Friday was the second day of the three-day, 200-mile ride to raise money for Hope for the Warriors, a nonprofit organization that has several programs designed to help those wounded in combat and their families.

Their goal was to raise $100,000. However, with the backing of credit unions, staff, members and personal donations, they presented a check for $161,000 at the end of their ride on Saturday in Jacksonville.

"It’s very emotional, and we’re very proud," Radebaugh said.

Father-son duo Eric and David Gelly and Ed Agnoli make up Team Little Guy, and they were joined on the ride by Andy McCaffrey, who lost his hand and part of his arm in an explosion in Afghanistan on July 2, 2003.

"I’m coming up on my anniversary," McCaffrey said. "It was the day that changed my life."

McCaffrey, a former Marine, remains in the Army as a Special Forces instructor at Fort Bragg. After he was injured, he completed three other deployments to Afghanistan.

"Any day I get to ride is a good day," he said. "Any day I get to ride for a cause that is bigger than myself, it’s an outstanding day."

McCaffrey knows first hand the benefits of Hope for the Warriors. He is involved in several Hope for the Warriors athletic teams, has made several fundraising bike rides and has plans to run the Disney Marathon later this year.

"They have some outstanding programs," he said of the organization that provides financial assistance, professional development, morale trips and spouse/caregiver scholarships among its programs.

As for the ride, he said he could not ask for anything better.

"I’ve enjoyed it," he said. "We’ve had a few mishaps, riding 80 miles a day, but I’m riding with outstanding guys."

For more information on the cyclists and Team Little Guy, go online to teamlittleguy.com.

For more information on Hope for the Warriors, go online to www.hopeforthewarriors.org.