Not only did Jack Hafer win the title of Mr. Twin Valley during an event presented by the Twin Valley High School (TVHS) Mini-THON Club, but he also raised more than $4,000 for Four Diamonds, a charity that assists children who have cancer and their families.

As part of the competition, candidates were required to raise money for Four Diamonds, with every dollar donated counting as a point. Jack announced that if he reached his fundraising goal of $2,000, he would bike across the Twin Valley School District, which he did prior to the event, covering three counties, seven townships and 23 miles.

"The bike ride was a precursor to (the Mr. Twin Valley event). It was something I did for publicity and to fundraise," Jack explained. "Once I hit $2,000, I said I would bike across the school district, which in my mind was a lofty goal."

He gathered donations through his Instagram page, which was linked to the Four Diamonds donation page. "Family, friends and friends of friends (donated) and people shared it around in their Instagram friend groups," Jack noted.

During the bike ride, Jack posted live updates, which generated even more donations from individuals and local businesses. "I was posting on my Instagram story while I was doing it. I posted at each mile," he noted. "It was being shared and lot of people were aware of it on Instagram, and I got three anonymous donations."

He began the trek in Birdsboro at the Meraki Manor restaurant and ended his bike ride at the Honeybrook Golf Club. "It took me four and a half hours. I started on the Schuylkill River Trail that goes along Route 724, which is the edge of the district," Jack explained. "I followed the trail and took roads all through the district. The golf course is one-half mile from the district line, but I thought it would be a good place to end."

He said the effort was particularly challenging because he is not an avid bike rider. "I play soccer and football. That was the first time I got on my bike in years," said Jack. "I knew that I wasn't running or walking the (distance). It wasn't a race, so I didn't have to go fast."

He said that traveling through the district brought awareness about the Mini-THON Club, which raises funds for Four Diamonds. "I wanted to do something that would be on display in the whole district because Mr. Twin Valley is an all-encompassing thing, and you have to represent the whole district. I would do it again. What it did was great as a fundraiser," he said, adding, "Bike seats are very uncomfortable. Props to bike racers."

At the Mr. Twin Valley competition, Jack defeated more than a dozen other contestants. For the talent portion of the show, he rode a unicycle.

Jack, who is a senior at TVHS, will be a student this fall at the Villanova University School of Business.