Remember riding bikes just for the fun of it?
I ruined a lot of good baseball cards.
Mom's still mad about the clothes pins.

Owning a bike was a rite of passage in my neighborhood. We didn't ride because it was eco-friendly or even forthe exercise. It meant freedom and fun times with friends. We attached baseball cards to the spokes of our bikes. I can't remember how many cards I wasted or how many of mom's clothes pins broke.

Sean left The Village Network this month after two years with us. He left with a purpose in his life,the goals to finish school, get a job and a determination to succeed. He also left with his first bicycle - a silver 21-speed dirt bike donated by generous supporters and assembled by loyal staff at TVN.

For most of us, our adolescent and teen-age years were carefree, fun times to remember - football games, winter dances and that first bike. For Ohio's at-risk children, it's a daily battle for safety, security and a future.

What began as a home for wayward boys 64 years ago has taken in generations of troubled and abused boys and girls and guided them to independent, productive lives. Each day, over 600 youth at our 11 locations receive help and support inside our residential, day treatment, treatment foster care, community-based programs and alternative schooling.

Please celebrate your childhood memories by making a financial donation toThe Village Network. Your gift will help rebuild the lives of our most vulnerable boys and girls. It will help support the existing best treatment programs and innovative, new initiatives aimed at Creating Positive Change for Responsible Living®.

Sincerely,

Marty Degnan
Chair, Board of Directors

P.S. Send me your stories about your bike riding days! Include them in your donation envelope or email me at info@thevillagenetwork.com.