In 2007, Notre Dame alums Joe Pomerenke and John Roche decided to ride bicycles to the opening Notre Dame football game to raise money for the kids of South Bend.
As engineers (both work for Arco/Murray National Construction Company, Inc.) they specifically wanted to focus their efforts on youth activities that promote math and science. They have dedicated this year’s bike ride to the Robinson Community Learning Center’s LegoRobotics team for 7th and 8th grade students.
The 100-mile bike ride, leaves from downtown Chicago and travels along the Lake Michigan and through Northwest Indiana to arrive in time for a Notre Dame football game.
The funds raised from the event have enabled the RCLC LegoRobotics team to travel and compete in the Indiana championship tournament for the past several years. Last year the RCLC team was awarded first place for project presentation in Indiana’s 2010 First Lego League Competition.
Last Friday, fifteen participants in the 4th Annual Alumni Bike Ride for the Kids made the trip from Chicago to the Robinson Center, arriving in the early evening the night before the USC game.
The bike riders were able to see the RCLC Lego Team in action as the youth presented their current project. The event raised more than $5,000, which will enable the RCLC Lego Robotics team to travel and compete in regional and state competitions again this year.