Nationwide Ride
The Nationwide Ride is a two-person charity cycling event that kicks off on July 5th on Good Morning America. The coast-to-coast ride spans over 3,500 miles and directly benefits the First Responders Foundation and 7 other worthy social impact organizations.
The ride starts in New York City and ends in Pacific City, Oregon at the end of August.
The riders, John Bladholm and Chris Ray are riding to provide a way for citizens of our nation and the generous partners and sponsors of the Nationwide Ride to give back to the country.
John says, “This has been a difficult year for so many, yet hope and gratitude remain strong in my heart. This ride will hopefully strengthen my faith that our country is still full of good people wanting to help each other.” John is a Partner of Green Barn Events and is the Co-Founder of the Nationwide Ride. Green Barn Events is a Pacific Northwest event management company with a focus on nonprofit fundraising.
The Nationwide Ride consists of seven cycling stages.
Each stage is approximately 500 miles and is supported by a generous sponsor that benefits one of the eight nonprofit organizations. The First Responders Foundation sincerely thanks 7-Eleven for being the sponsor of the FRF stage. Each stage will highlight one of the nonprofits and the supporting sponsor.
The First Responders Foundation will be highlighted during stage three where the riders will be traveling between Minneapolis, MN, and Joliet, IL. Along the entire 3,500 miles, 85 miles a day for 45 days, John and Chris will be joined by celebrities, athletes, sponsors, and special guests.

To make a donation to the Nationwide Ride on behalf of the First Responders Foundation click here. If you would prefer text-to-donate text the word “ride” to 402-518-5110.
For more information on the Nationwide ride, the stages, the route, and on the other nonprofit organization click here.

First Responders Foundation Support
With the support of sponsors and volunteers,100% of every dollar donated during the ride will go directly to the benefiting organization. Donations will be accepted via text-to-give or online. The goal is to generate a total of $500,000 for the nonprofit foundations.
Along with the First Responders Foundation proceeds will benefit the Fire Family Foundation. Black & Gold NW (USO, Special Operations Warriors Foundation and The Green Beret Foundation), The Sam Day Foundation (Pediatric Cancer Research), Feeding America, the Harrington Family Foundation, and The Maurice Lucas Foundation.
John states, “The Nationwide Ride allows us to partner with like-minded sponsors to support the foundations in need of financial support. We have worked with each of our chosen foundations, some of them for decades. We support them, we believe in their mission and we are invested in their success.
Special thanks go out to the generous sponsors of the Nationwide Ride:
- Bandit Wines, Pacific Bells, 7-Eleven
- Trinchero Wineries
- Sutter Home Family Vineyards
- Sparkling Ice
- Nabisco
- Safeway/Albertsons
- Dark Horse Comics
- Les Schwab
- Pelican Brewing
- TriCor Technologies
- Castelli, Brown Foreman
- LinkUs
- Oregon Fruit Company
- Clif Bar, Andino Coffee
- ABC Roofing
- SOS Hydration
The Nationwide Ride is hosted by Green Barn Events out of Portland Oregon led by Athena Willems. Green Barn Events hosts hundreds of events each year specializing in nonprofit events and raising money for important causes.
The First Responders Foundation thanks all at Green Barn Events for organizing this special event that will help fulfill our mission to honor and serve first responders, veterans, and their families.
To follow the Nationwide Ride click here to visit the Facebook Page.