By Lisa Byers
Meadville Tribune
MEADVILLE —
Lauren Brown first became interested in bicycling a few years ago while living in Madison, Wis., thanks to what he described as “a wonderful network of bike trails.”
But today bicycling has become much more than an interest or hobby. In fact, since April, it’s been a part of his everyday life.
Brown, a Meadville native, is bicycling across the United States to raise scholarship funds for children in India. He is scheduled to make an appearance Sunday at Stone United Methodist Church in Meadville where he will speak at its 8:30 and 10 a.m. services.
The stop will be Brown’s last before completing his journey in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 9. The 67-year-old is looking forward to the return home. “Very much so,” Brown said during a stop in Oberlin, Ohio, this week. “This is the year of our 50th high school reunion. Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to make the reunion, but I’m hoping some of my comrades might still be around and that I might have a chance to meet up with some of them.”
Of course, what Brown is most looking forward to is the opportunity to speak about a cause that through early this week had brought Brown 3,250 miles across the country by bicycle and raised close to $11,000.
Brown began his adventure, inspired by a life-long friend, A.V. Samuel, on April 26 from his home in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Brown met Samuel while serving in the Peace Corps in India from 1964 to 1967. Brown taught chemistry at Zahirabad Methodist Rural School, the same school where Samuel taught agriculture.
Brown said several years ago, Samuel, who was born in Metlakunta, a very poor, small farming village located about 80 miles southwest of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, challenged his peers in India who had benefited earlier in their lives by obtaining an education in the Methodist schools to make a donation to help ensure the next generation has the same opportunity.
Brown accepted the challenge and decided to embark on a bicycle speaking tour across the United States.
“I was inspired by his commitment to give back,” Brown said. “So I got the idea to raise money by bicycling across the country. For me it’s an adventure and an adventure that has given special meaning to undertaking fundraising efforts to help children in poor villages in India who wouldn’t have the same opportunities.”
Brown said to provide a single student a dormitory room at one of the Methodist schools, along with two uniforms and supplies, costs $250.
“It doesn’t take much to make a difference,” he said.
Brown, a retired organic chemist, will stay with his sister, Jean Weber and her husband, Brian, while in Meadville. Brown’s wife, Susan, is also scheduled to meet him in Meadville. Susan and Jean will then accompany Brown by bicycle from McKeesport to Washington and arrive as a group on Aug. 9 at The National Mall, marking the end of his trip.
“So far it’s been a wonderful trip,” Brown said. “I’ve had a couple of spills, but nothing that has deterred me from continuing. I’ve heard a dozen heartwarming stories and have met some wonderful people along the way,” he added.
Brown was born and raised in Meadville. He graduated from Meadville High School in 1960 and then attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. He entered the Peace Corps in 1964 and later moved to California.
Lisa Byers can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at lbyers@meadvilletribune.com.
You can help
Lauren Brown will speak about his coast-to-coast bicycle trip to help schoolkids in India on Sunday at Stone United Methodist Church in Meadville at the 8:30 and 10 a.m. services. You can also learn about Brown and his fundraising effort at bfki.us on the web. Donations may also be made to Stone United Methodist Church. All donations will go to the Lauren Brown Scholarship Fund via the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.
