Bike and Hike raises $30,000 for Habitat
Brandon Fribur (left to right) 16, from Madison, Megan Strickland, 16, fromMorris Plains, Colin Gooby, 15, from Madison, Erin Stickland, 16 from Morris Plains and Thomas Cullen, 16, from Madison volunteered at the Bike and Hike for Habitat for Humanity. (Photo: Meghan Ryan)
By KATELYN FARAGO
MORRISTOWN THIS WEEK
Morris Habitat for Humanity raised about $30,000 with its 12th Annual Historic Morris Bike and Hike at Loantaka Park in Morris Township earlier this month.
Proceeds from the event, which drew about 400 people for group bike rides, a barbecue and entertainment, will help volunteers finish the construction of seven homes in 2010. It also will help make it possible to break ground on about 12 more.
Executive director Blair Schleicher Bravo described the Bike & Hike as a "friend-raiser," emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about the organization and its mission of providing affordable housing to families in need.
"Habitat is about building community," she said. "This is a good day for families to come together."
Organized by volunteer Barbara Prag and sponsored by Marty's Reliable Cycle, the event featured 35-, 20- and 10-mile group road rides, as well as a five-mile walk and a two-mile family ride/walk through the park.
Members of the Morris Area Freewheelers volunteered to serve as ride marshals and hosted a safety talk beforehand. Freewheeler Brad Nelson of Morris Township said he shared a number of riding tips, most importantly: "Be predictable."
Nelson led roughly 125 cyclists on the 20-mile ride and said it went off without a hitch. Only one rider had to stop for equipment failure.
Entertainment was provided at the barbecue. A group of teens from the Community Theatre in Morristown sang, and Pat "The Human Vise" Povilaitis of Jefferson wowed the crowd with traditional strongman feats. He broke a hammer in half with his bare hands, bent a horseshoe and ripped a full-size telephone book in two.
Steven Han of Morristown said his favorite part of Povilaitis' demonstration was when he put his arms through the slats in an engine block weighing approximately 250 pounds, lifting it off the ground while ripping a deck of cards in half with his hands.
Han completed the 20-mile road ride with his wife, Jennifer, who has organized the Bike and Hike in past years.
"We couldn't have asked for better weather," he said, adding that the 20-mile distance was ideal for checking out the local community.
Jennifer Han described the event as "old home week," and said she enjoyed having the opportunity to come back after the ride, relax and enjoy the barbecue. Afterward, the couple biked home.
Cyclist Ahmed Shampoo, of Old Bride, described the Bike & Hike as "a good excuse to ride."
And Meredith Barnett of Riverdale, who took part in the 35-mile ride with "gym buddy" Marisela Roman, described it as a "good cause, great ride."
Roman, of Sussex Borough, said it was a challenging course, and the "beautiful houses" along the way kept her going.
Mark Brumbaugh of Mendham Township also opted for the 35-mile ride.
"It was wonderful," he said. "We had a great group of people. It felt good doing this for a good cause."
Brumbaugh rode as part of Brookside Community Church's cycling group, Team Brookside, and hasjoined his church in volunteering for several Habitat for Humanity builds. He said he was "happy to be able to give back to support affordable living in our county."
Morris Habitat for Humanity is currently building a single family home in Dover, a four-plex residential dwelling in Stanhope and a duplex in Morristown. Bravo said she expects to start work on two six-plexes of condominiums in Denville and Summit at the end of the summer. In 2012, Morris Habitat for Humanity will take on a 25-unit project in Randolph.
Prospective homeowners are selected from a pool of eligible, lower income candidates through a extensive screening process. They are chosen based on their need for affordable housing, their ability to repay a Habitat mortgage and their willingness to partner with Habitat. In addition to monthly mortgage payments, the new homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, or "sweat equity," into the building of their house and the houses of others.
For more information about Morris Habitat for Humanity, call 973-891-1934.
Katelyn Farago: 973-428-6630; kfarago@gannett.com