SANDPOINT — Cowbells and chorusing cheers rang out at City Beach on Saturday evening as riders for the CHAFE150 Gran Fondo crossed the finish line. Among the applause, CHAFE ride director Mariah Williams smiled as she watched bikers arrive.

CHAFE, a charity bike ride event that has been funding local youth education programs since 2008, raised more than $60,000 for its primary beneficiary cause this year, the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s “Every Student Graduates a Reader” initiative. 

The event is committed to funding the "Every Student Graduates a Reader" initiative from 2025 through 2027, which aims to strengthen student literacy skills within the community. 

The initiative focuses on universal screening to identify students' strengths and needs, providing evidence-based reading interventions for each student, and frequently monitoring progress to ensure student growth. 

CHAFE has funded various programs over the years, from assisting in preparing kindergarteners for school to providing students who have autism with the tools they need to be successful in a learning environment. 

“It’s just done so many impactful things, and I think it’s really powerful to look back on that,” said Williams.

After learning that 20% of high school seniors nationwide graduate functionally illiterate, Williams said she was “astounded.” 

“That statistic blew my mind, and I think really hammers home why we do what we do,” she said. 

Whether it's going to college or working in trades, Williams said she wants to see the youth of Sandpoint set up for success. 

“A literate community, a literate workforce is paramount,” Williams said. 

For Williams, being involved with CHAFE150 is nothing new. 

Brad Williams, one of the individuals who worked with the Panhandle Alliance for Education to spearhead the event, is her father. 

She was a sophomore in the Lake Pend Oreille School District when the event started. 

“I’ve been around it its entire life,” Williams said, adding that she even rode part of the event on the day of her high school graduation for as long as she could until her brother picked her up so she could attend her ceremony. 

For the past 18 years, Williams has assisted with CHAFE150 and has since joined the ride committee. Two years ago, she received the title of ride director, though she doesn’t consider herself to be. 

"I call myself the ride day director. I’m just in charge on Friday because someone has to be,” she said. 

With the ride committee pouring thousands of hours of work into the event year-round and the hundreds of volunteers needed to host the event, Richards said CHAFE is an event owned by many people. 

“I am just fortunate to steer the ship on Friday,” she said. 

The bikers, who were clad in bright neon riding gear, celebrated their accomplishment on Saturday with a well-earned meal at the event's after-ride party. Among them was Shirley Yarde, a triathlete from Somerset, England. 

The 67-year-old completed the 150-mile route, and although the ride was challenging, she said the view was beautiful. 

"I saw a moose and a baby," Yarde said. "In all the years we've been coming, we've never seen a moose." 

Yarde, who donated $70 to the initiative, said she felt great knowing it was going towards a good cause. 

"I'm just happy that it's going to somewhere local," Yarde said. "The kids are the future, and it's quite amazing."

    Mariah Williams smiles for a photo with her husband at the CHAFE 150 event last weekend.