Georgia Fire Fighter Passes Halfway Mark for Charleston Nine

Laddie Williams crosses the Navajo Nation.

October 3, 2007 – Augusta-Richmond County, GA Local 3357 fire fighter Laddie Williams has passed the halfway mark on his cross-country bicycle ride for the families of the nine Charleston, South Carolina fire fighters killed in the Sofa Super Store fire on June 18. Williams estimates he has raised $10,000 to date.

“The ride has been great,” says Williams. “The physical exertion and sleeping in a different place every night has been exhausting, but I have been able to maintain my speed pretty well – doing between 120 and 130 miles per day.”

Williams embarked on his journey on September 11, 2007, from Palm Springs, California. “We got off to a great start there with lots of press coverage and fundraising,” recalls Williams.

When he stopped in Sante Fe, New Mexico, Williams said he was blown away by Sante Fe Local 2059 fire fighters’ efforts. Members organized boot drives in the town center and during half-time at a local high school football game, raising more than $1,200 in a single day.

Williams with Henryetta, OK Local 2788 fire fighters

Fundraising aside, Williams will have many interesting stories to tell once he reaches the end of his ride, including an encounter with a snake in Oklahoma.

“I was going down a hill about 30 miles per hour when it struck at me from a weeded area along the roadside,” he says. “It barely missed my leg and hit my spokes, which cut the snake in half. I was surprised that it didn’t cause me to wreck. I just kept going.”

Williams still plans to reach his destination October 13. To donate or to read his blog, visit his web site.