Brian D’Apice: Athlete, Adventurer, Activist
Meet Brian, a US Army Veteran & former English teacher in Thailand, who is biking 11,000 miles around the country sharing his story and fundraising for PoP along the way.
In 2013, US Army Veteran Brian D’Apice moved to Chiang Rai, Thailand to teach English. Exposed to and shocked by the poverty he saw in Southeast Asia, Brian knew he wanted to do something to make a difference. After learning about Pencils of Promise from a friend, Brian researched and read the PoP book, falling in love with the organization.
Inspired and mobilized to act, he decided to build a school and set his sights on raising $50,000. To make his fundraising efforts more unique, Brian decided to do something that not only raised money, but that also challenged him physically and would allow him to speak and advocate for global education. That’s how he came up with the idea to ride not across, but around, the entire continental United States by bicycle — an 11,000 mile journey.
Throughout his journey, Brian decided he’d stop in schools and at corporations to speak about PoP and ask for their support. Challenging as it’s been, this continental traverse has brought Brian through cities and towns, deserts and plains. He’s met hundreds of people who have not only listened to and supported him and PoP, but who’ve taken him into their homes, providing meals, support and amenities during his travels.
So moved by the people that he’s met throughout this journey, Brian now plans to write a book that chronicles his experiences through the long ride. So far he’s spoken to more than 2,000 children and 600 adults, and as he makes his way around the US his knowledge, confidence and fundraising success continues to improve.
Brian says that the best part of his trip so far has been the interactions and relationships he’s developed while biking around the country.
“The kids are a blast and have really taken my message well — same with adults! I deeply enjoying telling my story, talking about PoP, and why I am so motivated to raise money for the cause.”
Education is a key issue of development that resonates with Brian, part of why he chose to donate to Pencils of Promise. Though his roots in education are old, his outlook and passion are fresh and more mobilized than ever to effect change.
“Education means the world to me; it has a multiplier effect that has the potential to change so many lives for the better. It also is our greatest tool to fight poverty. This world is a rich and beautiful place with plenty of resources for everyone, but the uneducated or undereducated always get the short end of the stick. Education is the key.”
Approximately 80% of the way through his U.S. loop, Brian plans to return to New York by early May. Though it may be some time before he partakes in a bicycle journey this lengthy, he feels confident that he wants to repeat the loop by motorcycle or by car. Brian has already raised almost $40,000 and is well on his way to building and supporting programming in a PoP school. We can’t wait to welcome Brian back to New York at the end of his journey and hope that he’ll take a pit stop at our NYC office where we can celebrate all he’s done for this organization.
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