Team Peacock continues pedaling forward

As the 44th RAGBRAI fast approaches, Upper Iowa University’s Team Peacock is ramping up its annual fundraising campaign and is striving to raise over $25,000. As in recent years, the 2016 team members have set individual goals in raising funds for a select UIU project or program. This year’s Team Peacock roster includes 27 Upper Iowa University faculty, staff, alumni, and other friends of the University who will officially ride with or support the team.

Amanda Jellings, who earned an elementary education degree from Upper Iowa in 2014, is participating in her second RAGBRAI as a member of Team Peacock. This year, the Fayette native is accepting donations for UIU’s Annual Fund.

“I am super excited to ride with Team Peacock again because it allows me to give back to such a great educational institution. There is no better opportunity to contribute to such a great cause and at the same time meet new people and see all the sights that Iowa has to offer,” said Jellings, who will teach first grade at West Elementary in Waukon, Iowa, this fall. “I am so thankful to all the people who help me achieve my fundraising goals, which help so many future Peacocks.”

In addition to the UIU Annual Fund, the beneficiaries from this year’s fundraising effort will include the UIU Recreation Center, UIU wrestling, Firth Family Scholarship Fund, President’s House renovations, Office of Student Development Cabby Dean’s Fund, Arneson Family Annual Scholarship, School of Science and Mathematics Churbuck Dean’s Fund, School of Liberal Arts Dean’s Fund, UIU School of Business Dean’s Fund, Environmental Leadership Scholarship, UIU Military and Veterans Service Center and Military Family Fund, Pam Whitmore Scholarship for Excellence in Student Teaching, UIU Athletic Department (industrial-sized washer and dryer), and various student scholarships.

Team Peacock riders, assisted once again by a dedicated support crew, will join 8,500 other week-long participants in making the 468-mile trek across Iowa. The average daily mileage averages 67 miles.

“There’s no doubt RAGBRAI is all about fun, but some might not realize Team Peacock has two huge goals for the University – fundraising and awareness. In addition to our rider fundraisers, the connections we make with Peacock alumni and friends along the route is priceless; not to mention the new friends we make,” said Brenda Luzum, Team Peacock ride coordinator and UIU director of alumni relations, stewardship, and communications.

Team Peacock is scheduled to depart in support vehicles from the Victory Gate on the Fayette Campus at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 23. The RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) journey begins in Glenwood on Sunday, July 24. Overnight stops will take place in Shenandoah, Creston, Leon, Centerville, Ottumwa, and Washington, before the bicycle tires are traditionally dipped in the Mississippi River in Muscatine on Saturday, July 30.

For additional information on the Team Peacock participants, their respective funding projects, and/or to fill out a support form(s) go to givetouiu.org/teampeacock. Team Peacock can be followed on its Facebook page.