© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

To benefit Flint students, cyclists and swimmers tow piano to Mackinac Island

Joybox Express
Mark Braun and other Joybox Express team members cycle with a piano in tow.

Take one 385-pound piano, and strap it onto a tricycle. Add a piano player and then hit the road from Flint to Mackinaw City.

Plop that piano on a barge, tie it to your ankles, and then swim all the way to Mackinac Island. 

That's the gist of the memorable fundraiser Sprint for Flint that's taking place this weekend.

Mark Braun is the pianist better known as Mr. B, and he's part of the team of 52 riders and nine swimmers who plan to take turns lugging the piano to Mackinac Island. He's also founder of Mr. B's Joybox Express, the organization behind the fundraiser.

The goal of this unique sprint is to raise money for Youth Quest in Flint, an after school enrichment program for kids.

You can follow along with the cyclists' and swimmers' progress by checking out Mr. B's Joybox Express on social media.

(Subscribe to the Stateside podcast on iTunes, Google Play, or with this RSS link)

Stateside is produced daily by a dedicated group of producers and production assistants. Listen daily, on-air, at 3 and 8 p.m., or subscribe to the daily podcast wherever you like to listen.