A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Edgewood’s Tony Jacobs takes 300-mile bike ride to raise money for area’s growing homeless population


By Alexander Furman
Special to NKyTribune

He rode over 300 miles. In the blistering heat and chilly nights from Cincinnati to Lake Erie, all with the big man upstairs watching. His late father was watching as well, with every pedal he took.

Tony Jacobs (Photo provided)

Tony Jacobs of Edgewood rode over 325 miles from the Ohio River to Columbus and touched one of the Great Lakes. All in the name of raising awareness of the homeless population that has grown in the Cincinnati area over the years.

“Over the past few weeks I have spent a lot of time with some of the local homeless men and women in the area. These men and women most nights don’t have a place to stay, they don’t know when their next meal is and something as simple as a hot meal can bring abundant joy into their life,” Tony says on his gofundme page, which has raised nearly $1,000 dollars in a matter of a few days.

His inspiration to take the ride came when Tony found God. After attending the University of Kentucky for most of his undergraduate years, Tony came back to the Cincinnati area to finish his schooling at Northern Kentucky University and start what God had called for him to do, to start his own non-profit organization. From that point on Tony has made it his life’s work to help the Greater Cincinnati community any way he could. From starting out at local churches, he has grown to now starting his own charitable foundation.

Having the honor of knowing Tony Jacobs since high school, I have seen him develop into an amazing leader over the years. Always putting others in front of him. This is no surprise to me.

It took Tony nearly five days to make the trip on his bicycle. Along the way he would sleep outside in sleeping bags at designated rest stops and document his trip on social media. Rallying behind him were his friends, family, and local businesses. At the end of the day, Tony has set an example of doing something not for yourself, but for others. Providing a voice to the voiceless. Proving that anything is possible with dedication, inspiration, and the watchful eye of family members, whether they are on this earth or in the heavens.
 
You can support Tony Jacobs and his mission at his gofundme page


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