• By: Lauryn Abozeid 
• Jul 21, 2024 

MADISON (WKOW) — Participants pedaled through Madison’s scenic bike paths on Sunday, joining forces to raise money for humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.

The event, featuring an eight-mile route, centered around Tenney Park, where attendees enjoyed refreshments, live music, poetry readings, bike decorating and kite making.

“All funds raised, as outlined in our literature, are earmarked for Gaza, with occasional allocations to refugee camps in Lebanon,” explained Donna Wallbaum, a dedicated volunteer with the Madison Rafah Sister City Project. “Specifically for today, all proceeds will directly support emergency aid efforts on the ground in Gaza.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA), headquartered in Berkeley, California. MECA is committed to providing essential supplies such as clean water, food, and basic necessities to the people of Gaza and refugee camps.

“We’ve exceeded nearly 200% of our original fundraising goal, which is truly remarkable,” Wallbaum said. “This marks our third annual event, and we anticipate it becoming a cornerstone fundraiser. Today, our target is $300,000, a goal we are very close to achieving. We plan to continue and expand this effort next year.”

The Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, Jewish Voice for Peace-Madison, and Palestine Partners united as sponsors for the event, underscoring a collaborative community commitment to the cause.