Megan Bentzin

Megan is on schedule and doing well.  Yesterday we received a glowing report for the group leader that, despite the disappointment of having to say goodbye to one of the students who had a long-time injury flare up, the group is enthusiastic and excited about the progress they’re making.  They have crossed their first state line from Georgia into Alabama, and are now on Central time.  The weather is hot, sunny & beautiful, and they experienced only slight rain Wednesday afternoon. This group passed through Montgomery, Alabama this afternoon and will spend the night tonight in Selma, Alabama.  The group is now averaging over 75 miles per day.  The group dynamics are high energy, “never down,” positive and supportive of one another.

http://teenupawards.blogspot.com/2008/06/austin-teen-is-spokesgirl-for-abused.html

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Austin Teen is SpokesGirl for Abused Children

Megan Bentzin is devoted to children.

The Austin, Tex., teenager is a regular fixture at the Helping Hand Home, a facility for abused and neglected children. She reads to the children there, she participates in fundraisers, and she helps out any way she can.

Now Bentzin is pedaling across the United States to benefit Helping Hand Home as well. She is taking part in a program called The American Challenge, in which fifteen high school students are biking coast-to-coast. Bentzin is using her trip as a way to raise funds for Helping Hand Home.

The 3,000-mile trip began in Savannah, Ga., where Bentzin and the others dipped their bike wheels in the waters of the Atlantic. It will end six weeks later when they plunge screaming into the Pacific near Santa Monica, Calif. There is no support vehicle; everyone carries all their gear. And they have to work together through illness, injuries, equipment problems, and other challenges.

For her dedication and determination—and for turning an exciting adventure into a fundraising opportunity for a cause she believes in—Bentzin is the winner of this week’s TeenUp Award…

Click here to read Pam LeBlanc’s statesman.com blog from 6/20/08, the day before Megan’s ride began.

Julie Moody’s story on KUT radio 90.5 FM aired on Wednesday June 18.

Click here to access the story on the KUT website.

Click here to download an audio MP3 of the story.

KXAN 36 interview with Megan Thursday June 12!!!!

Click to view the video of the KXAN story.

Click here to read the KXAN story online.