Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club Welcomes Student That Pedaled 5,000 Miles to Raise Funds

Twenty-two-year-old University of Massachusetts Amherst Senior, Garrett Shay, will today complete his 5,000 mile cycling journey across the country - from Melrose, Massachusetts to the Santa Monica Pier in California - to raise money for his local Boys & Girls Club in Salem.

Shay will be welcomed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica today at 4 p.m. by Club members, staff, board members and Club supporters at the Club’s home at 1238 Lincoln Blvd.  with an ice cream social and special guests including the Santa Monica Police Department Bicycle Unit and Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks.

To date, Shay has raised $6,of his $25,000 gola. Packing only a tent, water, a first aid kit, a repair kit for his tires, clothing and maps, Shay decided to make this 5,000-mile journey from Massachusetts to California in the hopes of raising funds and awareness about the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem.

Biking up to 100 miles per day but averaging about 40 miles each day, Shay will have completed his journey in about two months and 25 days. He found shelter along the way through contacting churches, fire stations, universities, senior centers and other facilities.