Tom Lavis
tlavis@tribdem.com
JOHNSTOWN —
Steve Tondora of Roxbury has a special place in his heart for children.
While Tondora, 48, has no children of his own, he will spearhead the second annual Thousand Mile Challenge on June 22-23 to benefit the Masonic Children’s Home in Elizabethtown, Lancaster County.
Last year’s event was a solo, 1,008-mile motorcycle ride, completed in 19 continuous hours.
But he is changing things up this year to gain more awareness for his cause.
He will be accompanied by fellow Freemason John Berk of Richland Township and the two will complete a figure-eight course around the state. They will cover more than 1,000 miles over two days, with stops at several Masonic Temples and a visit with the kids in Elizabethtown.
The Children’s Home provides a family-like atmosphere as well as clothing, nutritious meals, medical care and academic tutoring while caring for children.
Tondora said the home is a haven for children who are orphaned, being raised by aging grandparents, or come from various socioeconomic environments that might not provide the security and support necessary for healthy growth and development.
“In short, the home provides direction that puts kids on the right course of life,” Tondora said.
The home, located in the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown’s 1,400-acre campus,
has been caring for children since 1913 and has the capacity to serve 40 youth in its five cottages.
“People must know that 100 percent of the money raised during the challenge goes to the children,” Tondora said. “Not one dime is used to cover any expense.”
Tondora worked for 30 years in food service, but now is retired and works as a freelance writer.
He is an avid motorcyclist who said he only uses a car when the snow is too deep to ride his motorcycle.
“I have only been riding for about five years and often serve as a referee for bicycle races like the Tour de Toona,” he said. “We’re the guys on motorcycles who ride alongside the bikers.”
A Mason since 2007, Tondora is a founding member of the recently chartered Mystic Riders motorcycle club, based in Johnstown.
The Mystic Riders is a chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association, an international Masonic motorcycling organization supporting widows and orphans as well as raising Masonic awareness.
Tondora, who plans to wed in August, will be riding his 600cc Yamaha F26, which provides a comfortable ride and good gas mileage.
“I had to stop only five times for gas during last year’s challenge,” Tondora said. “I’m in the process of lining up about a dozen stops among the more than 400 temples across the state.”
The challenge in 2009 raised $1,000 for the home.
“We were able to buy blankets, shoes and clothing for a lot of the school-age children,” Tondora said. “We hope to raise a lot more this year as we challenge other Masons across the state during our stops.”
With support from the Mystic Riders Chapter and Cambria Lodge 278 Free and Accepted Masons, the challenge is expected to grow in the coming years.
“Eventually, we would like to see participation grow to a point where we can consistently raise funds in the five-figure range,” Tondora said.
Following this year’s event, the challenge will be issued to other Masons throughout Pennsylvania. Tondora is inviting Freemasons to meet the challenge – either as solo riders or group riders – and do their part to help.
People may pledge on a per-mile basis or contribute any amount.
Tondora said contributions may be mailed to:
The Thousand Mile Challenge, P.O. Box 1021, Johnstown, Pa. 15907.
Checks should be made payable to The Mystic Riders.
