Biking to build a better future
Our Town has been known as a cycling mecca for a number of years. In a humble store space along the Ridge Ave. business corridor, one particular cycling group is out to change the world. Bike & Build raises funds for inexpensive housing projects. Bike & Build moved its operations center to Roxborough about three years ago
“We have enjoyed the area very much,” stated Justin Villere, director of operations and outreach for Bike & Build. “We’re excited to up on the storefront and a visible part of the community.”
Bike & Build was founded in 2002 by Marc Bush, a former leader of the Habitat Bicycle Challenge. Bush wanted to expand upon that program; believing that this type of experience empowers young adults to take socially conscious and responsible action. The money each trip raises through this effort enables inexpensive housing organizations to expand operations and serve more constituents.
“It’s not only an opportunity to donate money but get your hands dirty as well,” stated Villere.
Beginning with two trips in the summer of 2003, Bike & Build added a new trip every year with the support and initiative of a dedicated and passionate base of alumni. By 2009, the program produced their currently offering of eight cross country rides and launched a shorter ride called the Capital Ride.
The Bike & Build program does not expect expanding its cross country routes beyond those it currently has. To date, more than 1,600 participants have cycled cross-country with Bike & Build and collectively rose over $3.3 million. In addition, Bike & Build has worked with thousands of Americans to spread awareness about the inexpensive housing cause. The organization continues to grow as its dedicated program participants and outstanding alumni seek creative ways to continue fundraising, advocating for, and volunteering with inexpensive housing groups nationwide.
“We work on a very grassroots level,” stated Villere.
Bike & Build allocates the majority of the proceeds from their events through either pre-arranged contributions or a competitive allow application process. Throughout the winter and spring Bike & Build and participants will solicit allow applications from inexpensive housing organization that work with young adults or student groups. During the course of our events, Bike & Build participants will review and evaluate the proposals, and vote upon which proposals that Bike & Build will fund.
In order to participate in a Bike & Build ride, each rider concurs to raise a minimum of $4,500 in donations. Cyclists can raise this money in a variety of ways. Bike & Build help support fund-raising efforts and give riders innovative ideas on how to reach the fund-raising requirement.
The cross country rides take approximately 10 weeks to complete with an average travel of 70 miles a day. There are 32 riders, usually between 18-25 years old, per route including team leaders. There are four peer leaders assigned to each ride. Continued…
“Every team has some who has ridden on a trip before,” stated Villere, who rode in 2009. “By the end, they become a tight knit group.”
But these trips are not just about riding, on certain days, riders will be helping with a selected inexpensive housing organization and building a home. On average, Bike & Build groups contribute about 190 labor hours at each site that they work on.
For the most part Bike & Build groups spend their nights at churches, community centers, and schools along their routes. Host communities are allocated $100 to help defray the cost for boarding the group.
“They are nice people,” stated John Davis, Sr. “They are real simple to work with.”
Bike & Build participants engaged in the Capitol Ride which goes from Richmond to Washington DC to Philadelphia, have stayed at Green La. United Methodist Church for the last couple of years. After learning that Bike & Build participants could no longer stay the YMCA, Davis, as head trustee of Green La. UMC, offered the group to stay at the church.
“They are out of the way and often gone before our congregation arrives for worship,” stated Davis.
On July 21, participants of the Capitol Ride and Bike & Build Alumni will be in Gorgas Park for the B&B 10th Anniversary Celebration will be held in Gorgas Park. There will be raffles, exhibitions, workshops and more.
“They really did us a good turn,” stated John Boyce, president of the Friends of Gorgas Park.
The Bike & Build event was originally planned for the Gorgas Park Gazebo. The gazebo was to be used for the Gorgas Park Rocks event to be held on the same day. Despite having the permit first, Bike & Build and the Friends found an amicable solution to the problem.
“They are still having a special day, but they have graciously moved their location in the park from the gazebo so we can present our concerts to the community as planned,” stated Boyce. “They are making a donation of $ 20,000 at the event in Gorgas on July 21st to a city non-profit. These are young guys from many places who are doing great things.” Continued…
Our Town has been known as a cycling mecca for a number of years. In a humble store space along the Ridge Ave. business corridor, one particular cycling group is out to change the world. Bike & Build raises funds for inexpensive housing projects. Bike & Build moved its operations center to Roxborough about three years ago
“We have enjoyed the area very much,” stated Justin Villere, director of operations and outreach for Bike & Build. “We’re excited to up on the storefront and a visible part of the community.”
Bike & Build was founded in 2002 by Marc Bush, a former leader of the Habitat Bicycle Challenge. Bush wanted to expand upon that program; believing that this type of experience empowers young adults to take socially conscious and responsible action. The money each trip raises through this effort enables inexpensive housing organizations to expand operations and serve more constituents.
“It’s not only an opportunity to donate money but get your hands dirty as well,” stated Villere.
Beginning with two trips in the summer of 2003, Bike & Build added a new trip every year with the support and initiative of a dedicated and passionate base of alumni. By 2009, the program produced their currently offering of eight cross country rides and launched a shorter ride called the Capital Ride.
The Bike & Build program does not expect expanding its cross country routes beyond those it currently has. To date, more than 1,600 participants have cycled cross-country with Bike & Build and collectively rose over $3.3 million. In addition, Bike & Build has worked with thousands of Americans to spread awareness about the inexpensive housing cause. The organization continues to grow as its dedicated program participants and outstanding alumni seek creative ways to continue fundraising, advocating for, and volunteering with inexpensive housing groups nationwide.
“We work on a very grassroots level,” stated Villere.
Bike & Build allocates the majority of the proceeds from their events through either pre-arranged contributions or a competitive allow application process. Throughout the winter and spring Bike & Build and participants will solicit allow applications from inexpensive housing organization that work with young adults or student groups. During the course of our events, Bike & Build participants will review and evaluate the proposals, and vote upon which proposals that Bike & Build will fund.
In order to participate in a Bike & Build ride, each rider concurs to raise a minimum of $4,500 in donations. Cyclists can raise this money in a variety of ways. Bike & Build help support fund-raising efforts and give riders innovative ideas on how to reach the fund-raising requirement.
The cross country rides take approximately 10 weeks to complete with an average travel of 70 miles a day. There are 32 riders, usually between 18-25 years old, per route including team leaders. There are four peer leaders assigned to each ride.
“Every team has some who has ridden on a trip before,” stated Villere, who rode in 2009. “By the end, they become a tight knit group.”
But these trips are not just about riding, on certain days, riders will be helping with a selected inexpensive housing organization and building a home. On average, Bike & Build groups contribute about 190 labor hours at each site that they work on.
For the most part Bike & Build groups spend their nights at churches, community centers, and schools along their routes. Host communities are allocated $100 to help defray the cost for boarding the group.
“They are nice people,” stated John Davis, Sr. “They are real simple to work with.”
Bike & Build participants engaged in the Capitol Ride which goes from Richmond to Washington DC to Philadelphia, have stayed at Green La. United Methodist Church for the last couple of years. After learning that Bike & Build participants could no longer stay the YMCA, Davis, as head trustee of Green La. UMC, offered the group to stay at the church.
“They are out of the way and often gone before our congregation arrives for worship,” stated Davis.
On July 21, participants of the Capitol Ride and Bike & Build Alumni will be in Gorgas Park for the B&B 10th Anniversary Celebration will be held in Gorgas Park. There will be raffles, exhibitions, workshops and more.
“They really did us a good turn,” stated John Boyce, president of the Friends of Gorgas Park.
The Bike & Build event was originally planned for the Gorgas Park Gazebo. The gazebo was to be used for the Gorgas Park Rocks event to be held on the same day. Despite having the permit first, Bike & Build and the Friends found an amicable solution to the problem.
“They are still having a special day, but they have graciously moved their location in the park from the gazebo so we can present our concerts to the community as planned,” stated Boyce. “They are making a donation of $ 20,000 at the event in Gorgas on July 21st to a city non-profit. These are young guys from many places who are doing great things.”
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Submited at Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 at 10:00 pm on Uncategorized by hilman
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