The Miracle Riders have announced they have reached their $1 million fundraising goal for Columbus State University, five years after pledging to help create new nursing simulation labs for the School of Nursing. Despite achieving this milestone, the group will continue its efforts to raise funds and awareness for the university’s College of Education & Health Professions, with plans for a fourth ride departing from Columbus on May 1.
Scott Ressmeyer, founder of the Miracle Ride and co-owner of Country’s Barbecue, shared the news outside Frank D. Brown Hall at Columbus State’s RiverPark Campus. He also revealed that this year’s ride will maintain last year’s Pony Express theme. The riders plan to deliver postcards with personal messages from families and friends in Columbus to various locations across the United States.
“So far, we know we will visit 15 states and deliver 23 cards,” Ressmeyer said. “But we are accepting submissions from the public through March 15, so we know the number of states we visit and postcards we deliver will increase.”
Ressmeyer introduced this year’s team during a news conference. Fourteen Miracle Riders will depart on May 1 for a three-week cross-country motorcycle trip. While some travel across America, others will make local deliveries before regrouping in Uptown Columbus on May 22 for a celebration and concert.
Reflecting on last year’s experience, Ressmeyer said: “Last year was really something special—it probably touched my heart more than any other ride we’ve done. You get to share in someone else’s life in another part of the country,” he explained. “We live in a world of texting and emailing. To connect with friends and families, to hand-deliver a written letter, is nothing short of remarkable. Some of the stops were emotional for the guys and for those receiving the postcards.”
The Miracle Riders set their $1 million goal in 2021 when they partnered with Columbus State’s School of Nursing to enhance classroom education and hands-on learning experiences for nursing students.
“The generous support from corporate sponsors and people throughout the country made it possible for us to meet our goal in just five years,” Ressmeyer said, thanking all riders, their families, as well as Betsy Covington—president and CEO of Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley—which manages the Miracle Ride fund.
During this period, Columbus State created three clinical simulation labs supporting undergraduate and graduate nursing programs—including BSN programs; online RN-BSN; online MSN tracks such as Nurse Educator or Family Nurse Practitioner; among others. The rides funded advanced technology like robotic mannequins for pediatric simulation labs (2022), enhancements for mother-baby simulation labs (2023), as well as neonatal simulation facilities following subsequent rides—benefiting practicing nurses alongside students.
Columbus State President Stuart Rayfield addressed attendees at the March 3 news conference: “Columbus State University is so fortunate to have the Miracle Riders as partners as we continue to think about how we serve this community, healthcare and in millions of other ways. Their long-term commitment to our School of Nursing has ensured that our academic programs equip tomorrow’s nurses with the hands-on experiences required in today’s most fast-paced, critical-care environments.” She added: “Their commitment has also equipped Columbus State to make meaningful contributions to our region’s quality of life and workforce infrastructure as our nursing graduates put the skills they’ve honed in these labs to use in their careers… The Miracle Riders do more than ride and raise money—they inspire us all with their work and generosity. We are proud to stand with them in their mission.”
Dean Margie Yates expressed gratitude: “Since their founding, the Miracle Riders have pledged to make a difference in one child’s life—but their efforts have improved opportunities for thousands in the Chattahoochee Valley,” she said. “We thank them for their continuing support of programs at Columbus State that improve lives… Their hearts know no bounds.”
Dr. David Levine—a neonatologist whose name was given to one simulation lab—announced he is establishing with his wife Daunn a scholarship fund: “Just as the riders ride to make a difference in one child’s life, we hope this scholarship can make a difference in a student’s life who can then go on to make a difference in a child’s life,“ Levine said.
Both Ressmeyer and Yates credited Levine’s guidance since joining during early rides starting back in 2009—a time when Ressmeyer’s solo journey through all contiguous states raised funds for Children’s Hospital at Midtown Medical Center before expanding into what became known as Ride For Miracles organization.
“Who would have thought back in 2009 that we’d still be here with a bunch of remarkable men riding across country raising funds… bringing awareness… student nurses… tiniest babies,” Ressmeyer reflected.“The ride is—and always will be—about making a difference in one child’s life.”
After reaching initial goals benefiting local children services by creating The Miracle Ride Fund at Community Foundation (2015), over $3.2 million has been raised—including $1 million specifically toward CSU’s maternal/child health-focused nursing simulation labs.
Individual donors/corporate sponsors support beneficiaries while each rider covers annual cross-country trip expenses averaging $5,000 per person.
Columbus State University operates within Georgia’s university system (source) emphasizing servant leadership (source), innovation partnerships (source), regional development initiatives (source), advanced campus spaces including RiverPark location (source), academic excellence (source), ethical empowerment (source)—all designed around enhancing student success/community engagement (source).
For further information or donations regarding upcoming rides see Ride For Miracles website or follow updates via social media platforms.
