Suicide prevention hotline volunteer bikes for Buckelew

The brother and sister bicycled the STP to raise money for Buckelew Programs, a nonprofit that provides mental health and addiction services in the North Bay.
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Two Bay Area siblings recently bicycled from Seattle to Portland to raise money for a local nonprofit. KRCB’s Amaray Alvarez has more…

Brother and sister Jacob and Alexa Swartz each rode 209 miles in one day. That was in the Kaiser Permanente Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, commonly known as the STP.

They did it to raise money for Buckelew Programs, a nonprofit that provides mental health and addiction services in the North Bay.

The Kaiser Permanente Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic is an annual bike ride. Those who participate can choose to finish the trail in one or two days. The Swartz siblings did it in one day over the course of 12 hours.

Jacob volunteers as a suicide hotline prevention volunteer with Buckelew.

“My father was diagnosed with brain cancer in the beginning of July and one thing that he made clear to us, kind of through his reflections, is that with his time left, he wanted to support mental health organizations and place an extra emphasis on that as it's an area that hits home for him, that he's advocated for in the past,” Jacob Swartz said.

Swartz said he’s finished other long bike rides before and wanted to do something fun for charity.

“Riding 200 miles in a single day, it's something that catches people's attention, and I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to partner with Buckelew Programs,” Swartz said.

On Buckelew’s website , the Swartz siblings have raised over $21,000 for the program—$1000 more over their goal.

After meeting someone who volunteered with a suicide prevention hotline, Swartz said he was motivated to also start volunteering.

“Unlike say breaking your arm or your leg, mental health is an issue that can't easily be seen or sometimes diagnosed,” Jacob Swartz said. “It's a great feeling when you can connect with someone over the phone, and hopefully, bring them out of the dark place that they're in and help them see a path forward.:

Buckelew provides mental health hotline services to Marin, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties. They can be reached by dialing 988. There are also online and text hotlines available.

“It's also important to understand that these individuals are calling into the suicide hotline because they do have hope,” Swartz said. “And so with that understanding, it's our duty to bring that hope to the forefront.”

There are no other bike rides planned for the Swartz siblings yet, but Jacob Swartz says he will continue volunteering and encourages others to do so too.

Amaray Alvarez, KRCB Sonoma County News