MANSFIELD — Paul Baird has reached the Lone Star State.
The Temple Christian School principal is riding his bicycle across the nation and was rolling through Texas as this week unfolded.
He began his 2,329-mile journey on Monday, March 14 in the Temple Christian School parking lot.
He’s heading west until he reaches the Santa Monica Pier in California, or until the school Race for Education fundraiser reaches its goal of $60,000.
Race for Education helps support Temple Christian School and its programs. For this fundraiser, students run laps in the school parking lot for one hour on a certain day. Some students are sponsored per lap while others are given a flat donation for participating, Baird said.
This year, students were allowed to use their bicycle to complete their laps. In keeping with this new feature, Baird decided he would make it a little more unique by participating in a 13-day bicycle trip, logging almost 180 miles a day.
Baird said the school would like to raise $60,000, and he hopes his trip may encourage others to donate.
The proceeds will help the school purchase new playground equipment, become accredited through the American Association of Christians Schools, add bathrooms and a concessions area to the Beal Road soccer facility, continue technology updates, maintain Edline, and help keep tuition costs affordable.
So far, close to $31,000 has been raised, according to an update published on Baird’s Facebook page Sunday night.
“We have six days left to get to Santa Monica Pier, CA or to our $60,000. Let’s keep it up,” the Facebook post says.
Those interested in donating money to the Race for Education fundraiser are encouraged to visit www.templechristian.org/race.
