By Omar Waheed, Madison 365, Jun 12, 2025

The Madison-Rafah Sister City Project will hold a charity six mile bike ride along Lake Monona in late July.

Big Ride for Palestine is a national charity effort in partnership with the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). Bike rides are planned around the country with the main one in Berkley, California. Proceeds from the bike ride will go towards humanitarian efforts from MECA for relief work in Gaza.

The ride will kick off at Olin Park on the Capital City Bike Trail, ride along Lake Monona to BB Clarke Beach and back to the park. 

Bike riding for a cause is a great way to marry Madison interests and spark conversations, said Cassandra Dixon, member of Madison-Rafah Sister City project. Often, she notes that people want to find some way to become involved in relief efforts, but it can be hard to find a dependable avenue to do so.

“I actually just had somebody text me and say, ‘Oh, a friend of mine wants to make a monthly donation to Gaza, and is confused and worried that all the money is just going to stick to some piece of the apparatus before it actually gets there.’ You know, it goes into administrative costs or whatever,” Dixon said.

The ride has been going on for four years and Madison-Rafah Sister City Project has been involved in efforts with MECA in the past. Dixon finds the organization to enact tangible relief for Gaza and the Middle East.

Funds have gone towards meals and the building of water desalination mobile units to provide safe drinking water. Even when things get destroyed in crushed humanitarian aid efforts, MECA is able to quickly pick work back up, Dixon said.

“Because we have that relationship, it’s like we’ve felt so confident raising money for one project after another with them,” Dixon said. “I feel good about Madison being able to maintain that connection.”

The Big Ride for Palestine will be held July 20 at 10 a.m. starting at Olin Park. Registration is open until July 15.

A $35 fee is required to participate and will net a t-shirt and water bottle. Dixon still encourages others to show up to build community.

Instructions to ensure your donations go to the Madison-Rafah specific ride require going to the Ride for Palestine website, registering, clicking on “Join an existing team” where you select “Ride from anywhere.” On the page, enter “Madison-Rafah Sister City Project.”