This year’s “Sanctuary Century”  took place on September 15 in Portland, Oregon.

What is the Sanctuary Century, you ask?

It’s an annual 100-mile bike ride that benefits animal sanctuaries. This year the ride raised more than $26,000 – roughly $8,000 of that will go to help the animals at IDA’s own Hope Animal Sanctuary in Mississippi.

The benefit ride was started in 2009 by IDA staffer Eric Phelps, former IDA staffer Matt Rossell, and Herbivore Clothing’s Josh Hooten. 

“We were looking for a way to raise much needed funds for a few animal sanctuaries,” recalls Eric Phelps. ”Living in one of the most bike-friendly and vegan-friendly cities in the US, the ride seemed like the perfect way to raise those funds.”

And that has certainly proven to be the case. The combined proceeds over the past four years have topped more than $65,000 for animals. 

The ride is an all-volunteer effort that relies on donations from each of the riders who participate. This year, each rider was asked to contribute a minimum of $250 in donations – but all the riders went above and beyond that amount.

“We also did a vegan business 10% day where vegan businesses all over the country donated at least 10% of their day’s proceeds to the ride,” said Josh Hooten. “That really helped and brought in almost $4000.”

Overhead costs for the ride are kept to a minimum, with emphasis on maximizing the amount they give to charity. This year, the Hooten family provided lodging for many of the riders at their home.

Josh’s wife Michelle and daughter Ruby pitched in and prepared meals for the riders. “It’s truly a family affair,” said Michelle.

“We love having the riders stay with us and Ruby loves helping out with the ride.”

 

They look forward to next year’s ride and hope to make it even bigger and better. For information on the ride, please contact Eric Phelps, Eric@idausa.org.

–Eric