Cyclist completes coast-to-coast ride for abused, neglected children

Chris Dieringer treks from San Diego to St. Augustine in support of Guardian ad Litem programs

Posted

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Program was celebrating as cyclist Chris Dieringer completed his ride from California to Northeast Florida to raise awareness for programs serving abused, abandoned and neglected children. 

Dieringer arrived in St. Augustine on Saturday, June 1, and dipped his front tire in the ocean at Crescent Beach.

Dieringer began his journey in San Diego on Feb. 28, to call attention to the Guardian ad Litem and Court Appointed Special Advocates programs, which represent children in dependency courts across the country. 

In Florida, these children are represented by Guardian ad Litem, and in the Seventh Judicial Circuit, which serves St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and Volusia counties. There are more than 1,500 children in the child welfare system and almost 500 without a Guardian ad Litem volunteer. Statewide, more than 13,000 volunteer child advocates represented more than 39,000 children in 2018.

“Chris’ ride brings attention to the cause,” Guardian ad Litem Circuit Director Shirley Holland said. “It brings attention to a volunteer’s generosity and his commitment to do good things for the children we serve – whether we serve them in New York, Texas or Florida.”

Dieringer, who is retired, was a volunteer child advocate for five years, and was encouraged by the interest his trip drew from potential donors and volunteers. He was escorted on the last leg of his trip by St. Johns County Sheriff’s Deputy Sam Sheffield, who rode with him from the county line to Crescent Beach.

“It’s not an easy thing,” Dieringer said of representing abused and neglected children. “It’s a really tough assignment. But it comes with really big rewards when you can see the impact on a child.” 

Holland said her program must take advantage of every opportunity to recruit volunteer advocates for maltreated children. Volunteers are trained and supported by professionals to be the voice in court helping to find each child find a safe, permanent home. Children with a Guardian ad Litem volunteer do better in school, receive more services and are less likely to return to foster care than children without.

“It means the world that one of our volunteers would do this, because it’s so heartfelt,” said Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Alan Abramowitz. “We congratulate Chris, and we thank him.” 

For more information about the Guardian ad Litem Program or to become a volunteer, visit www.GuardianadLitem.org or call 1-866-341-1GAL.