On Saturday, November 8, six representatives from EDPR NA participated in the "Ride in the Rocks" event in Lucerne Valley, California, home of Lone Valley Solar Park.
The annual event benefits the Mitsubishi Corporation Education Foundation, which donates thousands of dollars each year to Lucerne Valley Schools. There were 144 participants at this year's event that consisted of grueling 40-mile, 10-mile, and five-mile mountain bike rides, as well as a five-mile run/walk.

EDPR NA was a co-sponsor of the fundraiser and donated $2,500 to the cause. Each member of "Team Lone Valley" was successful in their respective event. EDPR NA participants included Ann Walter, Asset Manager, and Adam Renz, External Communications Associate, who placed ninth and tenth, respectively, in the five-mile run; Sandra Beck, Construction Administrative Assistant, who placed second in the five-mile bike ride; Andrew Syverson, Construction Project Sr. Manager, who placed fourth in the 10-mile bike ride; and Sam Littlefield, Project Manager-Western Region, who placed fourteenth in the 25-mile bike ride. Wayne Beck, Construction Sr. Site Manager, was also in attendance to support the team.

Past proceeds from the fundraising event have created scholarships to send local students to science programs, purchased equipment for the Ag Department at Lucerne Valley High School, funded college scholarships for 18 graduating seniors, and provided science equipment for numerous student projects.

EDPR NA "Ride in the Rocks" participants enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the Lucerne Valley community. At the event, the team set up an informational booth about Lone Valley Solar Park, where they answered the community's questions and passed out t-shirts.

"Though the ride time was early, and the California sun was hot on our backs, it's important for us to engage and bond with our neighbors and show them that we are more than just land-leasers," said Renz.