A few years ago, I asked the Mustard Seed School if I could help promote the spin within the cycling community. I felt that I had worked very hard to be a professional cyclist despite having grown up with parents addicted to drugs, becoming homeless as a minor and having to forge every moment of my own development. I felt that I could use my standing in my community to help raise awareness of the school and the Spin.
In cycling I found a place where I could grow as a human. I could challenge myself in ways that were never available to me before.
I had found freedom in cycling. I had self powered mobility. I could will myself to a physically different location anytime. I could make the choice to do something and have the ability to do it.
As my fitness grew and I pursued racing, I found myself in an environment where I was completely equal to the people around me. I was with people who were encouraging and wanted me to do better. I was with people who, when it come down to the county line sprint finish, worked just as hard as I did to make it across first. I was no longer the kid that ate out of dumpsters or was cold or had to take a "D" in shop class because I couldn't afford to buy supplies. I was equal.
It is for those reasons that the Mustard Seed Spin is important. It positively reinforces socialization and motivation. It gives kids the ability to participate in something that builds a very real foundation for self control, individual responsibility, and confidence. The result of all that cumulates being happy, healthy, successful, fulfilled, confident and capable.
The greatest gifts you can give a child are education and a bicycle. Because Mustard Seed Spin is 100% powered by motivated volunteers and 100% of the profits go to the Mustard Seed School, it's only limit to helping kids is how much it can grow. I am so proud to be a part of the Mustard Seed Spin.
My name is Victoria Akins and I am the chief executive of the Mustard Seed Spin. I started a bike ride for kids 7 years ago in order to generate a contribution to the school for homeless kids in Sacramento.
The Mustard Seed Spin is now an annual family bike ride along the American River Parkway In Sacramento on the last Sunday of September. The mission of the Mustard Seed Spin is to promote total wellness for youth through safe cycling, while creating opportunities to help less fortunate children. We are specifically committed to generating a financial contribution to the Mustard Seed School every year. We are hopeful that the Mustard Seed Spin will continue to be an important part of Sacramento’s fall planning for fun, fitness, and philanthropy.
Besides offering the event to families, we are committed to creating an opportunity for as many underprivileged kids as possible each year. Our scholarship program offers free ridership, a refurbished bike and new helmet to keep, for up to 50 children each year. We are planning to continue to expand our scholarship outreach.
Our rider fees and any additional donations to the ride all go directly to the Mustard Seed School for homeless children. Over the last 7 years, our donations have totaled approximately $150,000. The School does not receive any public funding and the Spin provides 10-15% of the school's budget.our Sacramento communit
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