Thank you all for your concern over Jonathan's health. The day after I posted the last post, his fever broke and we were able to head out to lake Michigan for one final day of cycling. We camped right on the lake which was absolutely beautiful. The water was warm and the waves were huge... it was absolutely perfect after a day on our bikes. The next day we were in the van, on our way back down to Ohio. 160-ish miles later, we arrived in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania where we are now staying with Jonathan's brother and sister in law. Cranberry Twp is right outside Pittsburgh where we are scheduled to have a media appearance or two to get the word out. Speaking of that, while in Chicago we were featured in the Northbrook Star newspaper... check it out! While here in Pittsburgh, we are also hoping to check out some of the city's bike paths for fun. We will then be moving on to central PA.
I was on the phone with my mother yesterday and she said "see you next weekend in Delaware." I was shocked to realize that in less than two weeks this whole journey will be complete. It's hard to fathom how such a long trip can end so quickly and I think we are all craving to see the Atlantic Ocean and simultaneously dreading it. This is our final push, both in terms of cycling and fundraising, make every step count!
4,000 miles. 4,000 people. 4,000 stories. 4,000 reasons to make a difference.
Team Members!
In Honor
Beverly Totman
The Guinan Family
Joe Staten
The Linzey Family
Ini and Demetra Hazatones
Elizabeth Cox
The McGaffin Family
Joe Ahlquist
The Zorn Family
The Watts Family
Dr. Paul Zito
Kelly Ballentine
Jeanette Wilhelm
Margaret Strong
Patricia Miller
Hazel Tibbe
Phyllis Emlet
Michele LaBrie
Mark Gammarra
The Goodahl Family
In Memory
Catherine Otterson
Irene Trotskey
Stanley Emlet
Theresa LaBrie
Dawn Gaffka
Lee VanderArk
John Tibbe
Robert LaBrie Sr.
Jimmy Hunt
Leonard Ahlquist
Kent C. Nicodemus
Palmer C. Pontius
Maggie Smiley
Anna Jean Curry
George Strong
Kenneth Ameigh
Harold Emlet
Shirley Uber
Johnny Tinkler
Mr. Pennington
Steve Dalton
William R. Thompson
Col. Kenneth M. Patterson
Garry Stob
Grandpa Winter
These are the names as we have them, but new team members continue to come in so the list will continue to grow. If you have made a donation and we have misplaced (or misspelled) a name... PLEASE let us know! Each and every name is very important to us.
Beverly Totman
The Guinan Family
Joe Staten
The Linzey Family
Ini and Demetra Hazatones
Elizabeth Cox
The McGaffin Family
Joe Ahlquist
The Zorn Family
The Watts Family
Dr. Paul Zito
Kelly Ballentine
Jeanette Wilhelm
Margaret Strong
Patricia Miller
Hazel Tibbe
Phyllis Emlet
Michele LaBrie
Mark Gammarra
The Goodahl Family
In Memory
Catherine Otterson
Irene Trotskey
Stanley Emlet
Theresa LaBrie
Dawn Gaffka
Lee VanderArk
John Tibbe
Robert LaBrie Sr.
Jimmy Hunt
Leonard Ahlquist
Kent C. Nicodemus
Palmer C. Pontius
Maggie Smiley
Anna Jean Curry
George Strong
Kenneth Ameigh
Harold Emlet
Shirley Uber
Johnny Tinkler
Mr. Pennington
Steve Dalton
William R. Thompson
Col. Kenneth M. Patterson
Garry Stob
Grandpa Winter
These are the names as we have them, but new team members continue to come in so the list will continue to grow. If you have made a donation and we have misplaced (or misspelled) a name... PLEASE let us know! Each and every name is very important to us.
What is Steps for Stanley?
SFS is a non-profit endowment through the American Lung Association. The funds that are raised through this non-profit go specifically to research, awareness, and education about the debilitating effects of lung disease (for more information about lung disease, please see the links at the bottom of this blog.) In 2005, Stanley Emlet's third son Jonathan started Steps for Stanley in honor of his father, who had been fighting a losing battle against emphysema for 24 years. Jonathan demonstrated his passion for raising funds and awareness for the ALA by through hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2005. The hike ended climactically on top of Maine’s Mt. Katahdin, where he took a picture while holding a sign reading “Howdy Dad.” Stanley held on long enough to swell with pride at his son’s great accomplishment and gesture of love, but passed away six short months later. While the endowment is in his name and memory, Stanley's battle has ended and our efforts are now driven by the countless others who are still fighting.
Who's on the team?
- SFS Team
- OR to DE, United States
- Although we hope to have over four thousand team members, those actually crossing the country on their bikes are Jonathan Emlet, Jenny Emlet, and Carrie Ahlquist. To sponsor a mile of our trip and become one of those 4,000 ("honorary")team members, visit http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/home.jsp?id=1799 or email stepsforstanley@gmail.com. You can also donate in honor or memory of a loved one, making them a team member.
Blog Archive
Who is Stanley?
Stanley Emlet was born in Loysville, Pennsylvania in 1927. Stanley's mother was a teacher and his father helped run the family business. When Stan was 5 years old, his father died in a truck accident. At an early age Stan went to work for his uncles in the family chicken and egg business. When he was old enough he loved making journeys from Loysville to Philadelphia to deliver eggs and chickens for market. This simple, peaceful life was interrupted by World War II and Stan left school when he was 17 to join the Navy. He served with the SEABEES, seeing action in Saipan and Okinawa. He often reminisced about surviving kamikaze attacks, a typhoon, and being bitten by a tarantula. When the war ended, Stanley returned to Pennsylvania, earned a GED, and attended Shippensburg State College through the G.I. Bill. By 1958 Stan had moved to northwestern Pennsylvania and began teaching elementary school. He married his wife Phyllis with whom he had three sons. In 1982, just a year after the birth of his third son, Jonathan, Stan was diagnosed with emphysema after smoking for nearly 40 years. In hopes of living to see Jonathan graduate from high school, he quit cold turkey. Unfortunately, disease quickly became so debilitating that Stan was forced to retire the same year. Eventually the family moved to central Pennsylvania and Stan became a 'house father' to Jonathan while Phyllis worked for the Department of Transportation. Jonathan was 14 years old when it became necessary for Stan to go on oxygen therapy 24 hours a day. During the last few years of his life, Stan was house bound; only going out for doctor visits and hair cuts. Despite this he maintained a positive attitude. He enjoyed following current events, reading aviation and WWII magazines and the visits of family and friends. His main occupation was, as he put it, 'holding down his easy chair.'He did live to see Jonathan graduate from high school, even college. Sadly, on February, 27th 2006 Stan passed away from the complications of emphysema. He now lays at rest in the Evergreen Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Although Stanley is no longer with us, his memory lives on. You can be a part of his memory or a part of any one of the millions of Americans who have passed because of lung disease. You can also take part in shaping and improving the future for those who suffer from lung disease now. Every step counts, take yours!
Stanley
7 comments:
so so so so so so proud!
So glad that Jonathan is better! And I can't believe you're in PA already. Must be bittersweet for you guys. Keep on truckin'! ... except on bikes. You know what I mean.
~Bep
I agree with Anna -- we are SO very proud of what you've done and how extraordinarily well you've done it!
It was fantastic to see you in Michigan (3 of you anyway) and I'm glad Jonathan is back in the swing of things.
Take care these next days, and we can't wait to see at the party on the Atlantic on August 23rd!
Love to all four!
Mom
So exciting! ENjoy your final weeks of the trip!
And you're not coming anywhere near the DC metro area are you? Had to check :-)
Hey Jenny and Jonathan! This is Suzanne. I was just talking about you guys with some of my friends who are cyclist and are visiting me in Boston. I wanted to let you know that I have been praying for you this summer. I was sorry to hear that Jonathan is sick. I hope he is doing better. I am writing b/c I am also interested in possibly joining you for the end of your tour or some little part of it if it works out! I at least would like to cheer for you as you ride in to Boston. When will you be riding in? Let me know if there is anything that I can do to help! May God give you endurance and strength through the end or your journey.
Love,
Suzanne
Greetings to the Tour for a Cure Crew,
I send word from sunny Chicago, IL, where Kyle and I are preparing to leave for Zambia. I wanted to make sure that you knew...I have not yet made phone contact with any of you. Thanks for your support and kindness. We are blessed to know you guys and so proud of all your hard work. Miss you friends and will miss you more when I am away. Make sure to get on skype when things calm down :).
love and blessings,
bams and stob
Hi again!
So glad to hear Jonathon has recovered! My week at the lake with Dani's Grandma Jan was a blast, as usual. She is such a great hostess. When it rained, we shopped! Good luck on the rest of your trek! I am so thankful to have had the chance to get to meet such great kids (I know, you are all adults, but I'm 65!) I will miss your stories of your adventures! God Bless! Dee Gilley, Montevideo, MN
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