Cross-country ride raises funds, awareness of need for foster care reform

A 3,800-mile charity bike ride is taking one man from San Diego to Washington, D.C., all in honor of his partner whose childhood was shaped by foster care.

Jeff Vine, an avid cyclist, named Foster America the beneficiary of his ride, which is approaching its final leg early next week. He’s been on the road since February. He rides in honor of his partner, Margaret Elizabeth Spencer, whose childhood was deeply shaped by the foster system.

You can donate to the cause here.

Margaret’s story is a powerful reminder of why we do this work. She was removed from her family and placed in foster care three times as a child. This year, Margaret made it her mission to begin sharing her story publicly, hoping to spark conversations about the urgent need for reform. Her courage is a testament to the resilience we see every day in families impacted by the system — and a call to action for all of us.

“Jeff was aware of my New Year’s resolution to bring awareness to the need for further support of foster children in America. I also mentioned that his race that he was planning is a great opportunity to raise money and awareness for a good charity,” Margaret said. “We put the both of these things together and decided together that Foster America was a great fit for his cross-country bike tour.”

Each mile Jeff rides is more than ground covered; it’s an opportunity to connect with people, share stories, and highlight the real, everyday challenges that families face.

We’ll be there to celebrate with Jeff and his family on Monday in Washington, D.C., near the Lincoln Memorial. The public is invited to follow Jeff’s progress on his blog – and join the celebration at the finish line. Timing will be updated as he draws closer to the finish.

Change is possible, and every mile, every story, and every supporter brings us closer to a better system for children and families.

Watch foster-america.org/news for an upcoming guest blog by Margaret about her experience.