GRAND RAPIDS — Giving back is natural to Phill Hermel.
“My dad instilled in me a long time ago that giving is a big deal,” said Hermel, a teacher and recent guest on the KAXE Morning Show.
Hermel has rollerbladed for a cause several times in his life, and this summer, he is enlisting two friends for a unique team effort.
The Great Itasca Giveback aims to raise money to split between eight Itasca County nonprofits.
Hermel will rollerblade 98.8 miles. Grand Rapids police officer Troy Scott, Hermel’s neighbor, has agreed to run his first-ever marathon and log 26.2 miles. His longtime friend, Dr. Simon Lick, will fill in the rest of the miles on a bicycle. Together they plan to travel 250 miles.
“We're not going in any specific order. For example, Simon is a machine. He can go anywhere and do anything: dirt, on road, off road, mud. Whatever," Hermel said. "Troy, we want to keep him off the hills, and I don't want to be on bad tar rattling my fillings out of my teeth, you know?”
Listen to our conversation about the Great Itasca Giveback above!
The original goal was to raise $20,000 and, as of June 20, individual and business support has brought in over $30,000. The need is great for the chosen nonprofits, Hermel said, and The Great Itasca Giveback will continue to raise money until Aug. 3.
The three men will depart downtown Grand Rapids and begin their 250-mile journey Friday, Aug. 2. They will head west toward Deer River, north to International Falls and then return to Grand Rapids on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 3 during Grand Rapids’ Tall Timber Days celebration. Before they finish, they invite community members to join them in The Miracle Mile, which will begin at approximately 4 p.m. at Florio’s in Cohasset.
You can support the Great Itasca Giveback through the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation. Follow their progress on Facebook.
How do you give back to your community? Let us know!