A thank-you message from Executive Director Mike Lausch and Director of Development & Communications Anne Stokes.
We are so grateful to all who participated in and contributed to our 30th annual Bike & Hike event. You rode, walked, Tasty Toured, and sundae-ed — and raised over $115,000!
For the nearly 200 people who attended, the weather cooperated (enough) to allow the event to be held without adjustments to the schedule. We look forward to the fun and fellowship each year, and this year did not disappoint.
The Bike & Hike event raises crucial funds to support the critical care provided to children, adults, and families, adding to the more than $2.5 million raised in the previous 29 years.
Our top 2026 fundraisers: Floy Fitzkee (standing second from the right), Londa Brandt (standing on the right), and some of the group from Mountville Church of the Brethren.
2026 Bike & Hike Events
Participants chose from four event options, all to return to enjoy the ice cream celebration.
25-Mile Bicycle Riders
This course attracts our more experienced rider/donors, who were as patient as we were waiting for the morning moisture to move out of the area in time for the roads to be mostly dry by start time. With a nice stop at Speedwell Forge about halfway, they were refreshed for the final push to the finish.
10-Mile Bicycle Riders
A small but mighty group toured the beautiful countryside just outside of Lititz. We appreciate the feedback on the course as we look to make this an even more attractive family-friendly event.
3-Mile Walkers
Over 100 people joined our most popular Bike & Hike option this year. With many donning this year’s T-shirt, it looked like a sea of mint chocolate chip ice cream flowing down the sidewalks of Lititz.
1.5-Mile Tasty Tour Walkers
Participants enjoyed sweet and savory treats from stops at Dosie Dough, Slate Cafe, Cafe Arabella, and Brazilian Table. Many chose to collect their goodies and swing into Lititz Springs Park in order to create a Tasty Tour picnic. To whet your appetite a year in advance, here’s what you missed this year. Make a note to consider the Tasty Tour in 2027.
The 2026 Tasty Tour Menu
- Dosie Dough: Lemon Square or Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bite
- Slate Cafe: Chicken Skewer
- Cafe Arabella: Hot/Cold Coffee or Black Tea and Gluten-Free Wilbur Biscotti
- Brazilian Table: Chicken or Beef Croquette
Incredible Ice Cream Celebration
What can we say, it’s ice cream! Hard to beat a sundae where you decide the perfect combination of toppings on Fox Meadows chocolate or vanilla (or both) ice cream.
Trivia
Thanks also to those who participated in the trivia game. Those of us “of a certain age” could reminisce about what was going on in 1996, and we learned a little more about the impact we make together with our work across the foster care, adoption, counseling, family life education, and permanency departments.
Donor support provides for compassionate, beyond-the-basics care (and in COBYS’ case, way beyond the basics), preparation, and training to children, individuals, and families in their time of crisis. What donors provide is the chance for hope and joy. This level of care cannot happen without you!
Support Starts with You
If you weren’t able to join us on Sunday, September 13, but would still like to contribute to the 2026 Bike & Hike event, click here to make a donation.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Motivated by Christian faith, COBYS Family Services educates, supports, and empowers children and adults to reach their full potential. COBYS carries out this mission by providing safe and loving homes for children through foster care and adoption services; helping children and adults overcome challenges through counseling; and leading family life education programs teaching skills and principles to parents, teens, and children. Donations from our generous supporters help make this service possible.
We appreciate the generous funding in support of the mission of COBYS and our ministries from our sponsors. We encourage all participants to contact and patronize these businesses for products, service and solutions.
