ST. JOSEPH — For the third year, the Tour de Mitt, a Bike Ride for Hospice, will bring together bicycle enthusiasts, community members, and hospice organizations to raise funds and awareness for hospice care.

The ride will take place July 8 through 16 along a 450-mile route through Michigan, from Mackinac City to Stevensville. Bikers of all levels are invited to join for all or part of the journey. Those unable to ride can support the event as sponsors or by donating to the cause, and all money raised from the ride will benefit people in need of hospice care.

The Tour de Mitt ride is a special mission for Dawn Spoon, RN, a longtime registered nurse with Hospice at Home, a Lakeland Health Affiliate. During her first ride in 2014, Spoon’s goal was to raise enough money to provide a month of charity room and board at the Merlin and Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. As news of the trip quickly spread and others joined her journey, Spoon has raised more than $16,000 over the past two years — with a goal of raising $12,000 during the 2016 ride.

“I have observed the stress on families trying to provide care to their loved ones without the financial resources to get them into a facility, or who can’t care for them at home,” Dawn said. “My goal is to combine two things I love and create a resource for those most in need so that they can have access to quality care regardless of ability to pay.”

New this year, a team of up to 14 riders will benefit from training and nutrition coaching provided by Thom Figueroa, fitness coach from TRI-ING For Life, for eight weeks leading up to the race beginning on May 16. For more information or to join the team, call (269) 635-9109.

Visit www.hospiceathomecares.org for more information about Tour de Mitt or to donate. Follow Dawn’s journey on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hospiceathome