Sean C. Morgan
Paul Peloquin had visited 121 Dutch Brothers coffee shops before and had 39 to go after dropping by the kiosk in Sweet Home on June 21.
“I’m riding my motorcycle to 162 Dutch Brothers locations in 162 hours or less,” Peloquin said as he dismounted. “I still have 24 hours to screw it up.”
The goal is to raise money for Shelly’s House, which provides transitional housing for women with substance abuse issues and just released from jail or prison, in Salem. Peloquin works for the Department of Corrections, and he sits on the board of directors for Shelly’s House.
A big risk factor for the women is where they live, Peloquin said. “Maybe the problem’s back home, their social network. Some of these women have no place to go if they’re trying to get clean and sober.”
Shelly’s House is run by volunteers and provides housing for 40 to 50 women each year for less than the cost of incarcerating one inmate, Peloquin said. Marion County provides funding for one month after a woman leaves jail or prison.
After the first month, the women are asked to contribute, although no one is removed from the house because she cannot contribute, Peloquin said.
Peloquin’s ride was built around Facebook, he said. He carried a GPS tracking device and marked the locations he visited as he traveled. Along the way, he just asked people to make donations, which could be done through the Facebook page.
As of June 21, his ride had raised some $3,600.
He picked Dutch Brothers for his stunt simply because he likes it.
“I’m just a big Dutch Brothers fan, and I like the corporate culture,” Peloquin said. I appreciate that every time I go to a Dutch Brothers, I get good customer service and good attitudes.”