Resident rides across America for Boys & Girls Club

Resident rides across America for Boys & Girls Club

Thu May 10, 2007, 08:06 AM EDTWatertown TABLifelong resident Harry Parsekian, 71, is biking across the U.S. to raise money for the Watertown Boys and Girls Club. He starts the ride in L.A. on Sunday.By Jillian Fennimore, Staff Writer GateHouse News ServiceFollow Harry’s journey Keep tabs on Harry Parsekian’s bike ride from L.A. to Boston by logging on to www.harrybikesamerica.org , which goes live soon.To support his fundraising mission, checks can be made to “Boy’s and Girls Clubs of Watertown — Harry’s Bike America” and mailed c/o Boy’s and Girls Club of Watertown, 25 Whites Ave., Watertown MA 02472.Harry Parsekian likes adventure.


The wind in his hair, the earth under his feet and the anticipation of the unexpected.But what’s adventure for the 71-year-old lifelong Watertown resident?How about biking 3,400 miles across the country in 50 days?“If not now, when?” asked Parsekian, who is also a marathon runner and exercise enthusiast.

There’s a certain motivation behind the journey Parsekian has been waiting to tackle for years. With every mile he pedals, he plans to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown, and to provide an incentive for kids to keep active.“It is good to give to the coming generation of young people and to the communities that enabled us to have the success that we have enjoyed,” he said.Money is also being raised for the Boys & Girls Club in South Boston, where Parsekian operates his real estate business.


Allen Gallagher, director of the Boys & Girls Club in Watertown, said money collected from pledges and donations would go a long way. A donor will match whatever Parsekian raises, he said.“We need room to grow,” Gallagher said about the tight space inside the Whites Avenue building. “There would be more things to do for kids if we had room to do it in.”He said they are currently working with an architectural firm to see if building a second floor would be feasible.The club is celebrating its 35th anniversary this weekend. Since 1972, the club has opened its doors to any boy and girl in Watertown and surrounding communities. Gallagher said they average about 125 kids a day who come to swim, play in the gym, use computers, do homework, and make arts and crafts.



Their total membership averages about 500-600 children each year.With tight budgets for many towns and cities across the state, Parsekian said that less money is being allocated for social and communities activity for young people.He said the most important thing is to get involved, but more importantly, get fresh air.“Thomas Jefferson said ‘a healthy body is a healthy mind.’ Just going out and riding a bike is an adventure,” said Parsekian.Starting Sunday, Parsekian will dip his rear tire in the Pacific Ocean and head off from Los Angeles with a pack of 34 others invested in the cross-country trip. Fifty days later, they will dip their front tires in the Atlantic Ocean and be welcomed by fans and supporters at Revere Beach after their trek.Parsekian said he is particularly looking forward to biking through the Southwest — especially the Mojave Desert and Sedona, Ariz.



The group plans to average 80 miles a day. The oldest among them is 80.“We will get to know the depth and breadth of the United States of America,” he said.But Parsekian is no stranger to physical challenges.He has been running since the early ’80s and was one of the founding members of the famous L Street Running Club and the “Noon Time Nuts” of South Boston, as well as a member of the L Street Brownies. He has run 20 consecutive Boston Marathons, biked across Armenia and Karabagh in 2006, climbed Mt. Ararat in 1986, and has traveled to many countries throughout the world.“When he wants to do something, he does it,” said his son, Mark Parsekian.The elder Parsekian said he is fascinated by the variety of peoples and cultures he encounters during his trips.“It’s not about luxury for me,” he said. “Being face-to-face with America’s diverse cultures, peoples and raw geographical terrain is what makes this nation great, and I am proud to be a part of it.”