BREAKING NEWS, Sept. 23, 2019
Following is a Facebook message we posted Sept. 23. We wrote about an accident on Sept. 22 that ended this cross-country ride by cyclists Mark and Mike Roskam. You can still donate using the buttons below.
Contact Dina Hovde at dina.hovde@sheltered.org or 360-737-0300 with any press inquiries.
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“The big story here is the goodness of God. We have our brother!” Mark Roskam said of an accident that happened yesterday while cycling “Route 66: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness,” a fundraiser for Open House Ministries. “Our God is at work. And that’s the Open House story in a nutshell,” he continued.
As brothers Mark and Mike Roskam were cycling Route 66 through Clinton, Oklahoma, yesterday, Mike Roskam was hit by a pickup traveling at about 45 mph. Mark said he thought he was watching his brother get killed. The truck came within inches of Mark.
Mike was taken by ambulance to — and was discharged from —AllianceHealth, the hospital in Clinton.
“It was a violent collision and Mike was blindsided. We need to get him home,” said Mark. The Roskam brothers and wives have decided to “unplug the bicycle trip” and head back to Vancouver Tuesday morning.
Open House’s leadership is relieved the men are coming home and so incredibly grateful that the accident wasn’t worse.
As for Mike’s injuries, Mark said, “He’s sleeping all the time — a lot of pain, a lot of festering wounds and his head wound, he’s not thinking very fast or straight — but we’re all of one heart that we need to come home.”
Thank you for all your concern and prayers! The Roskam brothers had completed about 1,000 miles of their 2,448-mile ride for the homeless before this accident happened. And they had already raised $27,000 of their $66,000 goal for Open House Ministries. Some of that money was donated in by-the-mile pledges. To be true to the by-the-mile idea, please contact Kelly Johnson at 360-737-0300 if interested in a refund.
Visit www.sheltered.org/route-66/ to read more about the ride or see past coverage about the event.
Sept. 4 – Oct. 11
Seeking to raise $66,000 for operations at Open House Ministries, staffer Mark Roskam and his brother, Mike, will cycle historic Route 66 starting in September. From Chicago to California, traveling more than 2,400 miles, the cycling enthusiasts are hoping for by-the-mile pledges to help motivate them along their way. (Lump-sum gifts are also welcome, of course.)
To donate to “Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness,” call Leslie Cook at 360-737-0300 or click on a button below.
Check out these features about Mark and Mike’s big adventure on KGW and in The Columbian and Clark County Today!
Shad had hit bottom. He ached with the memory of 2013 when he and his family were at Open House. That time had been great. There they had found peace and direction. They were all together as they transitioned to their new home. They thought, “Life’s not perfect, but at least we are together.” Or so it seemed. But sometimes the journey is not a straight path, particularly when addictions become a roadblock.
For the past five years, the City Saints have been prominent in the Living Hope Co-ed Softball League; a team comprised of residents, past and present, staff and friends of Open House Ministries. Shane (MVP) and Alizz, coached us to be good competitors. Some of our players have never played softball, or in Monica’s case, had never played any team sport – ever. Yet she played with simple joy and a steady smile.