ANDERSON — Two months, eight states and 3,000 miles later, Anderson resident Garri George is safely home from his two-wheeled journey across the nation.

He and his son, Garri George Jr., rode their bicycles through the lower portion of the United States, beginning in California with their back wheels in the Pacific Ocean and concluding in Florida with their front tires in the Atlantic.

Their efforts raised more than $50,000 for the East Central Indiana Youth for Christ. George said much of the contributions came directly from Anderson, with many churches, civic groups, families and businesses pitching in for the cause.

George called the trip a success, explaining that he and his son accomplished exactly what they set out to do.

“The purpose of the trip was to let people know Youth for Christ existed, and we also wanted to put Anderson on the map and let everyone know that something good can come from the city, and hopefully be proud of,” said George who is the local Youth for Christ director.

This was the 22nd long-range bicycle trip that George has taken.

He and his son both highlighted many of the people they met in their online journal, including one man in Baton Rouge who overheard talks of their crusade and felt compelled to donate to their cause.

“We met all kinds of people, and it seemed like everyone was sympathetic to what we were doing, whether they went to church or not, since it was for reaching kids,” George said. “We never met one soul who did not have a soft spot in their heart for what we were trying to do.”

Their effort was met with some adversity, including two deserts, several mountains and a trip through the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Perhaps even more exhausting, George and his son encountered flat tires and shortcuts that did not actually end up being any shorter.

They were not alone on the trip, however, as Youth for Christ board member and volunteer John Harris followed the cyclists’ every stride. He served mostly as support for the riders, pulling a camper for meals and rest when needed.

He said the beautiful scenery was most memorable throughout the trip, particularly in the West, but he said it was working alongside George and his son that made the journey so worthwhile.

“It’s nice to settle back in (back home in Anderson), yet I will miss the camaraderie of the trip and so forth because we got to know each other so well,” Harris said.

Harris said the money raised will go toward the hiring of three full-time youth supervisors to form a ministry team. In fact, less than one month upon returning home, one hire has already occurred and two are expected in the coming weeks.