Project Mobility's Hops for Hope 5K going virtual

ST. CHARLES – Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Project Mobility continues to move ahead in its mission of finding mobility for people with physical disabilities.

Project Mobility is a nonprofit organization located in St. Charles. The organization's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children, adults and wounded soldiers with disabilities by providing the services, resources, and equipment needed to promote better health, independence, and the freedom of mobility through adaptive cycling.

An adaptive bicycle can cost up to $5,000. Hal Honeyman, one of the owners of The Bike Rack in St. Charles, founded Project Mobility. His interest in adaptive cycling was spurred on by his son, Jacob, who was born with cerebral palsy.

In August, Project Mobility's fundraiser, Everybody Rides, was so successful that seven children received adaptive bikes. Because of current restrictions regarding large gatherings in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, the fundraiser was made into a virtual event.

Likewise, the group's next fundraiser – Hops for Hope 5K – will also be a virtual event when it is held from Oct. 3-11. Registration for the event will close at the end of the day on Oct. 2.

"Prior to COVID-19 happening, we were expecting to have 1,000 runners this year," said Tammy Simmons, co-owner of The Bike Rack and director of development of Project Mobility.

The first 400 registrations will receive a 6 pack with 1 can of beer from each featured brewery that would normally be on the course. All participants will be able to attend BrewDays the week of the 5K. Each brewery will have their own BrewDay where all Hops for Hope 5K participants can head over and enjoy discounted beer.

"If you want to make that day the day that you go walk or run, you get to go to that brewery and you get a discounted beer," Simmons said.

Given the success this year's Everybody Rides fundraiser, Simmons has high hopes for the upcoming Hops for Hope 5K.

"We're kind of excited about the 5K knowing that happened," she said.

Awards will be announced during the virtual awards ceremony/adaptive bike giveaway presentation on Facebook Live at 2 p.m. Oct. 11 during D and G Brewing's BrewDay.

To register and for more information, go to hopsforhope5k.com.