In the News: Pontiac, IL Daily Leader

PONTIAC DAILY LEADER, OCTOBER 26, 2006

Cyclist riding to California to raise money

By John Holaway/Staff Reporter

Thanks to the gestures of a local good samaritan, bicyclist Michelle Thompson's stay in Pontiac earlier this week was a little bit warmer than it would have been.

Thompson is bicycling along Old Route 66 from Glen Ellyn, a Chicago suburb, to Costa Mesa, California, to raise money for her brother's cancer treatment. On Monday she reached Pontiac and stopped at the Marathon gas station, 922 W. Custer Ave., to pick up some goods before her planned overnight stay at the Livingston County 4-H Park.

The 35-year-old Chicagoan never made it to the park because Pontiac resident Brenda Fellers happened upon her at the station and insisted she stay with her and her family for the night.

Michelle Thompson stands with her bike before departing from the home of Tim Rork and Brenda Fellers earlier this week. Thompson is on a 2,400-mile journey to California raising money for her brother's cancer treatment costs. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

"I just saw her at the gas station and begged her to come back and stay at home with us," said Fellers. "I wasn't going to let her stay out there in the cold when she has such a big trip ahead of her. I wanted her to get a warm shower and stay in some heat."

Thompson accepted and an instant friendship was formed. Fellers treated her to a meal, shower and a good night's sleep before Thompson's emotional departure the following morning.

"They've done so much for me," said Thompson of Fellers and Tim Rork, who live at 67 American Ave. in Redwood Manor. "I can't describe how much this means to me. They were so kind and inviting ... I'm speechless."

Fellers promised to keep in touch with Thompson before wishing her luck.

"She's such a great person and very brave to be out doing this," said Fellers. "The least I could do was give her a place to stay. I wish her the best of luck and hope that her brother, John, is OK."

Thompson began her 2,400-mile journey last week and is expecting to reach her brother's home in Costa Mesa in approximately six or seven weeks. What makes this trip even more challenging is the fact that she is an unseasoned bicyclist going about it alone.

Comments

[Elcorin]

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