Bill Melka's 5 Century Rides

(The Melka Family pictured with Head Coach of the Chicago Bears, Lovie Smith. From Left to Right, Rochel, Bill '78, Lovie and Michael '11)

Mr. Bill’s 5 Century Rides for RMHC "Five Centuries in Five Months at 50 Years for Ronald McDonald House Charities” Bill Melka will celebrate his 50th birthday on April 15, 2010. Instead of silly parties, Bill’s desire and goal is to combine this lifetime milestone with a passion for cycling to make a difference in the lives of families with children who are battling life threatening illnesses.

 Bill will complete five century bike rides – 100 miles for each decade of his life - in five months at 50 years of age to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. For those not familiar with the physical requirements to accomplish this goal, assimilate it to running marathons.

The timing of Bill’s desire to help RMHC-CNI could not be better. The organization is currently in the midst of a $33 million capital campaign to build a new Ronald McDonald House – the largest in the world – within blocks of the new Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. "I give Bill all the credit in the world. It’s just tremendous that he’s going to put so much of himself into supporting the charity” said Lovie Smith, Campaign Chair and Head Coach of the Chicago Bears.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ronald McDonald House is scheduled for November 2010 and construction will begin shortly thereafter. The new House will be open and ready to serve families in the summer of 2012. For more information on RMHC-CNI and the campaign, visit the website at http://www.rmhccni.org/.

The goal of Bill’s efforts is to raise a minimum of $50,000 to be donated directly to Ronald McDonald House Charities. This amount will sponsor the construction of one of 86 guest rooms. Never setting sights low, the sponsorship of an entire floor is $500,000. Gifts can be made directly to Ronald McDonald House Charities to support this effort at http://www.firstgiving.com/billmelka

 Bill has been connected with RMHC throughout his professional career. For over 20 years, Bill and his wife, Rochel, have attended the RMHC Annual Awards of Excellence gala and auction. It is from this experience that Bill desires to be an actual participant to help benefit RMHC and the tremendous value provided by the charity. Bill is an avid cyclist devoted to his singlespeed 29er.

He periodically volunteers his time and his tandem to captain blind stoker rides for the visually impaired through the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association and the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association. Bill also volunteers his time with youth athletics in the Wheaton area, including at St. Francis High School – his alma mater. "Bill Melka gives St. Francis High School an opportunity to beam with pride and to cheer on one of our outstanding alumni as he takes on this tremendous effort for the benefit of the children and families facing the challenge of their lives at the Ronald McDonald House” said Thomas V. Bednar, President of St. Francis High School, "A current parent and dedicated volunteer, Bill is always ready to share his time and talent in order to help our students achieve their goals. He is an inspiration to all of us. Ride Bill! Ride!”

Professionally, Bill has been a trusted advisor to high net worth individuals and families with their wealth management needs for 25 years. Bill is a native Chicagoan and lives with his wife, Rochel, and their children in the western suburbs of Chicago.