This has been an unusual time for all of us. We're told to stay at home, while feeling isolated and vulnerable to an infectious disease. It's easy to focus on the cancellations and the closings, and everything we're missing out on, but I've been given the gift of health through all of this and am determined to use what I have to make a difference, even now.
Summer 2020's cycling adventure looks far different than originally planned. Oh, dont worry, I'll still be cycling, but my teammates and I will be physically distancing to the extent of riding independently in our own local regions, but connecting virtually May 29 - Aug 16 through Fuller Center's virtual bike adventure. I aim to stay active while addressing one of the largest causes of endemic diseases around the world, poor shelter.
Globally, houses of mud walls and floors combined with poor sanitation create an environment for life-threatening severe diarrhea, diseases like cholera, typhoid, and malaria. Diarrhea alone claims the lives of more than 800,000 children every year (Source: CDC).
With the devastating loss of volunteer trips and fundraising events, all at a time when people are being told to 'stay in your homes,' support is needed now more than ever. Non profits have been hit so hard by this pandemic, all when their work is needed so badly.
Fuller Center Bike Adventurists are collectively undertaking 50,000 miles to virtually traverse the globe -- 80 countries in 80 days -- with a goal of raising at least $200,000 to build 80 homes.
My teammates from last years cross country adventure and I have created a team for this virtual ride we dubbed, The Young and the Rest of Us! We hope to collectively raise $5,500 as a team, which is the amount it costs for Fuller Center to provide a basic home in an underdeveloped area of the world. (I'm hoping we will accomplish far beyond that, so I set my personal fundraising goal at $2500). Will you join us by making a donation today? Your gift here on my page will automatically add to our team goal, AND, it will also be counted toward my real-life bike adventure tour next summer. As a side note, the bike adventure tours bring in the most money to support the ongoing work of the Fuller Center, and sadly, all trips have been postponed to next year.
I know this is a difficult time for everyone, so thank you very much for your consideration to make a donation. We are all definitely in this together. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Stay healthy and well!
Beth
