1 week Ago By Peter Dujardin
Heath Scott did a 40-mile run to mark his 40th birthday 10 years ago — and was looking for something cool for his 50th. But this time, he was seeking to benefit others, too. “In these last 10 years, I went through a divorce, I moved, and just had a lot of personal stuff that I went through,” Scott said.
“So turning 50 feels kind of more reflective. I wanted to do something big, but I wanted to do it in a way where I could give back.” Now, Scott is riding his bicycle 588 miles across Virginia — and raising money for charity — to celebrate his 50 years.
It all began in early 2023, when Scott — a former college English teacher who now runs a fledgling business called Fennario Coffee Roasters — began talking to one of his new customers at the Farmer’s Market in Hilton Village. That customer, Caroline Dutle, was the director of development at THRIVE Peninsula , a nonprofit that provides food and financial, housing and utilities assistance for those in need. When THRIVE received a large whole-bean coffee donation a few months later, Dutle thought of her “coffee guy” and asked Scott if he’d be willing to grind it down before it’s given away.
“Most of our clients can’t afford coffee, let alone a coffee grinder,” Dutle said. “So a donation isn’t too helpful if it’s in bean form.” Scott immediately said yes.
“He came to check out our facility, and has been really active and involved in supporting us ever since,” Dutle said. “So it all started with coffee beans.” Scott took the beans home, ground them up and returned them in packages, ready for distribution.
Though most consider coffee a staple, she said, for others it’s a “luxury item.” “Any time we can provide things beyond the necessities, it’s a real treat for our clients,” Dutle said. THRIVE Peninsula was founded 50 years ago by several churches in Newport News’ Denbigh section, and still considers itself a Christian-based organization.
But Scott said he was drawn to the fact that the nonprofit helps people of all faiths — or no faith. “I am sensitive to people telling me what to do or trying to evangelize me,” Scott said. “But (faith) doesn’t affect who gets help or who doesn’t get help.
The only thing that you have to do is qualify financially.” “And once I saw how selfless and giving these people are, the volunteers, I was like, ‘Man, I’ve got to be involved in this somehow.’ ” THRIVE has a pantry where people can come once a month by appointment and get about a week’s worth of groceries.
It also offers financial assistance and coaching. So when it came time for Scott to mark his 50th birthday, he decided he wanted THRIVE to be the recipient of a charity event. He came to Dutle with a concept: He’d bike 500 miles to raise $5,000 and 500 pounds of food — all multiples of 50 — to benefit the organization.
Dutle liked the idea, and helped him put the plan — and the fundraising mechanisms — into action. It began Saturday morning at Breaks Interstate Park near the Kentucky and Virginia border. Scott will then trek the Virginia portion of the TransAmerica Trail — 588 miles — over nine days.
That’s about 65 miles a day. The route will take him south to Damascus, then northeast to Radford, Christiansburg and Lexington. He will hit the Blue Ridge Parkway, then Charlottesville, Ashland and Richmond before heading back to Hampton Roads.
Scott can be followed online in real time — at www.tinyurl.com/heathwatch — as he makes his way through the commonwealth.
Though Scott has done lengthy rides in the past, this will be the longest. He said the first several days — where the route is most mountainous — will be the most challenging. Luckily, Scott is no stranger to physical exertion.
He has been an ultra distance runner in the past. And over the past couple years, his coffee business includes a guarantee to deliver the java the next day anywhere in Newport News by bike. That also ensures he’s getting in his daily rides.
“Rain and snow doesn’t stop me,” he said. “I had a broken rib last year, and was out delivering on the bike ..
. so it’s gonna take a lot to stop me.” THRIVE, for one, is appreciative.
“I think it’s just such a superhuman feat that Heath is taking on, and this is just an amazing opportunity for us to be recognized in this way,” Dutle said Friday. “He’s really garnered a lot of support within the community, and it’s been very helpful to THRIVE.” Scott will carry a tent and sleeping bag, and plans to camp on his route.
It’ll be a mixture of “stealth camping” — finding a spot in wooded areas along the way — and campgrounds, and a hotel for his night in Richmond. He’ll bring a couple days’ worth of trail food with plans to replenish in small towns along the way. “It’s all back roads, and you’re never more than an hour or two ride from any kind of convenience store,” Scott explained.
A friend plans to meet him Thursday at the Blue Ridge Parkway to help him resupply and offer moral support. Scott’s wife, Woodside High School art teacher Heidi Compton, will meet him in the evenings starting that same night. He plans to be back on or about Sept.
15 — his 50th birthday. Road construction on the Capital Trail will prevent Scott from finishing at the end of the cross-country TransAmerica trail in Yorktown. So he plans to end the route at the THRIVE building on Nettles Drive in Newport News, likely arriving by way of Warwick Boulevard.
Scott has already surpassed his initial $5,000 fundraising goal. That’s in large part because of Priority Bicycles, the New York-based company that makes the bike he’s riding, a belt-driven Priority 600. “I’ve seen them do charitable work, on everything from suicide prevention to getting kids on bikes,” Scott said of the company.
“I sent them a letter explaining what I was doing, and they didn’t hesitate. They got back to me within 24 hours and said, ‘We’d love to help out.’ “ Scott asked Priority to donate a less expensive bicycle than the $2,500 one that Scott will be riding.
“And they came right back and said, ‘No, let’s do the Priority 600,’ They completely donated it, no strings attached.’” The bike will be raffled off as part of the fundraising effort. Tickets are selling for $25 apiece or five for $100, with all proceeds counting toward the $5,000 goal.
And last week, an anonymous local family kicked in $2,630 — at the time just enough to hit the $5,000 mark. “Their anonymity will be respected, but we can assure you that they are one of the most wonderful families we’ve had had the honor to get to know,” Scott wrote on his coffee company’s Instagram page. “They are true models of how to be a good human.
” The fundraiser is now up to $5,370 and counting, with 100% of the proceeds going to THRIVE. Canned goods and other non-perishables are being collected at THRIVE (12749 Nettles Drive) or Village Bicycles (9913 Warwick Blvd.).
Both are in Newport News. “I’m just really excited,” he said Friday before leaving for the Kentucky border. “I’m pretty humbled by the outpouring of support from folks and the interest from folks.
I was doing this as a kind of a small way to help try and raise some money, and the swell of support that I’ve gotten from the community, it’s just been unbelievable.” THRIVE will host a community day Sept. 22 with Scott, featuring refreshments, a mobile coffee bar and an opportunity to learn more about the organization’s mission.
That’s also when the donated bicycle will be raffled off. To contribute or buy a raffle ticket for the bike, go to the donation website, “50 to 5000: Heath’s Trans-Virginia Birthday Ride for THRIVE,” at givebutter.com/HeathsRide4THRIVE.
“Trading river views for mountains tomorrow,” Scott wrote Thursday on Instagram, with a picture of his bicycle near the James River. “Who knows what adventures lay ahead?” Peter Dujardin, 757-897-2062, [email protected] Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Canon’s facility in Newport News is launching a new product Canon’s facility in Newport News is launching a new product After receiving double transplant, 9-year-old Williamsburg-area boy is recovering and back in school After receiving double transplant, 9-year-old Williamsburg-area boy is recovering and back in school Man in custody after hours-long barricade inside Hampton gun shop, police say Man in custody after hours-long barricade inside Hampton gun shop, police say Friday night football highlights: No.
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