Surrounded by a small cluster of friends in Itasca, Minn., Rich Dixon expressed his appreciation to supporters and completed a brief interview with a local reporter.

Then the 60-year-old paraplegic began the first leg of a 1500-mile hand cycle journey to New Orleans to raise money for Convoy of Hope’s children’s feeding initiatives.

Learn how easy it is to make a donation for each mile of Rich’s ride.

Already, donors have given more than $6,200 in honor of Rich’s Ride, which Dixon estimates will take eight weeks. Convoy of Hope has secured a matching pledge that will allow every dollar received to be doubled to help more children.

“Imagine what would happen if all of us decided to tackle world hunger,” says Dixon. “What if we all spent time during the next eight weeks spreading the word about this opportunity to feed hungry children around the world? I don’t imagine that we’d end childhood hunger. But together, we’d make a significant difference.”

Help Rich make each mile count for kids.

During the route Dixon will share with church, school and civic audiences about Convoy of Hope’s mission, using his own story to illustrate that giving people hope can change what they believe is possible. His wife, Becky, and service dog, Monte, will accompany him on the trip.