Tag Archives: bike

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity receives funds from recent Habitat 500 bike ride

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People from across the United States collectively pedaled 67,500 miles in one week this past July as part of the 20th Anniversary Habitat 500 Bike Ride.  Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity was one of the organizations receiving a portion of the funds raised through this year’s Habitat 500 bike ride event. The Habitat 500 is a 500-mile bicycle ride with 135 bikers and 40 volunteers that traveled through south-central Minnesota this past July 14 – 21 — all in order to raise funds and awareness for the need for safe, decent and affordable housing.

The Habitat 500, an annual fundraising bike ride organized by Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, gives riders the chance to build a cycle of hope for families around the world from the seat of their bicycle. This year’s 20th Anniversary fundraising goal was to raise $300,000; the event has already surpassed this goal by raising over $365,000.  Breaking all past fundraising records for this event has helped create additional affordable housing opportunities for low-income families throughout Minnesota and the world.

Habitat 500 riders are required to raise a minimum of $900 to participate in the ride, but many raised much more. Each rider designated their funds raised to Habitat for Humanity affiliates of their choice.  Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity received a total of $2,139.61 from this event that will directly impact home construction for more families in Cass and Clay counties.

“The money raised by the Habitat 500 for the affiliate will support the two homes Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity is building in Fargo this year,” said Rob Rich, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity Executive Director. “We are thankful to Team Double Aces: Moorhead Ace Hardware owner Mandy Peterson and Ace Hardware manager Sarah Volness for representing Lake Agasssiz Habitat for Humanity on the ride and using this unique opportunity to raise money for our organization. Their personal connection to our mission is heartwarming.”

Since the Habitat 500 bike ride’s inception in 1993, over $4.86 million dollars have been raised for Habitat for Humanity home construction, contributing to the 2,000 homes built by Minnesota affiliates.

Participants during this year’s 20th Anniversary Habitat 500 biked 50 to 100 miles each day on the ride, often in 90+ degree heat. The route began in St. Louis Park from the build site of the 2,000th Habitat home in Minnesota.  The group next traveled to Hastings, New Prague, and Hutchinson (with a 100-mile loop), and continued on to New Ulm and Mayer before circling back to end in St. Louis Park.

Riders spent two nights in Hutchinson, where they had the opportunity to participate in the Habitat 500’s bike.home., a Habitat home that riders helped build. This year’s bike.home. is also Minnesota’s 2,001st Habitat for Humanity home.  Riders worked in partnership with the Crow River Habitat for Humanity affiliate and the Wolff family, a single mother with five children who was selected as a partner family, to celebrate the construction of this landmark home. Ride participants fundraised $40,000 through the Habitat 500 for the bike.home.

Photo of this year’s 20th Anniversary Habitat 500 riders, volunteers, and staff at build site of Minnesota’s 2,001st Habitat for Humanity home. Photo by Renee Cosgrove

Double Aces ride in Habitat 500

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Mandy Peterson, owner of Moorhead Ace Hardware, and Ace Hardware manager Sarah Volness are teaming up to ride the Habitat 500 for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.

Each year, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota coordinates the Habitat 500. The Habitat 500 is a bicycle ride that covers 500 miles over the course of 7 days. Each rider raises funds for the Habitat for Humanity affiliates they wish to support. This year the ride will take place July 15th – 21st through South Central Minnesota

Along the way, riders visit Habitat affiliates, Habitat worksites and Habitat homeowners all while raising awareness about the need for safe, affordable housing.  This year is extra special because the Habitat 500 celebrating its 20th anniversary and the riders will help build the 2,001st Habitat home built in Minnesota, which is located in Hutchinson.

Riding as team Double Aces, Mandy and Sarah first heard about Habitat 500 from Mandy’s mom, Lorene Peterson who has volunteered for the ride by running Rest Stop 3 for the last 10 years. This may be the Double Ace’s first ride for Habitat but Mandy has a great connection with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity that compelled her to give back to the organization.

“We have a friend who received a Habitat house a few years ago and we know how much it has changed her life for the better,” explains Mandy. “Our friend now has a house instead of a rundown trailer to raise her two kids in.  She wouldn’t have been able to do that on her own- even though she works very hard and puts in a lot of hours at her job. ”

In preparation for the upcoming 500 mile bike ride, Mandy has been biking and weight lifting to stay fit and fundraising through Facebook and Ace customers, but so far her favorite part of her involvement has been raising awareness about Habitat for Humanity. Peterson says she is most looking forward to “meeting the veterans of the ride and seeing Minnesota a totally different way.”

We’d like to wish team Double Aces luck as they leave for their first Habitat 500!  If you’d like to help them, visit Moorhead Ace Hardware or click here.

Bound South Expedition Completes Journey

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Berg Brothers Bike from Alaska to Argentina to Benefit Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

Brothers Nathan, Isaiah, and David Berg – natives of Starkweather, North Dakota – began a bicycle trip in Anchorage, Alaska on August 11, 2011 and finished in Ushuaia, Argentina (the southernmost city in the world) last Friday. A goal of their 15,000-mile journey, known as Bound South, is to raise awareness and $60,000 for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.

“Four years ago I led a bicycle trip across the United States with a nonprofit called Bike and Build. I fell in love with the rhythm of life on the road by bicycle and began dreaming of a longer, more rugged, and more adventurous undertaking,” said Isaiah Berg, 22. “I was passionate about Habitat for Humanity and soon began planning Bound South with my brothers.”

The brothers documented their journey across “Arctic tundra, Central American tropics, mountains, deserts, cityscapes and many other roads less traveled between Alaska and Argentina” on the blog http://boundsouth.org/.They traveled without support vehicles or assistants, riding alone with only the gear they could fit in their saddlebags. They did not prearrange stops or make hotel reservations.

“I am so lucky to have had the chance to meet a wide variety of people in such a short span of time. We’ve stayed with firefighters in Colombia, pastors in Mexico, and 80-year-old gauchos in Argentina. These chance meetings and relationships we such a blessing to us, and they augmented our trip in ways I couldn’t have imagined,” said Nathan Berg, 24. “We’ve seen some of the best natural beauty in the world, but this trip wouldn’t have been the same without the people that are found there.”

To date the brothers have raised $12,151 of their $60,000 goal; 100 percent of the funds raised go to Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. The brothers plan to help build a Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity home.

“This is our dream and our vision. We pedaled across these proximate Americas and attempted to capture their stories,” said Isaiah Berg. “Our Pan-American bicycle expedition can build windows into the world and the walls of a single-family Habitat house.”

Rob Rich, LAHFH Executive Director, welcomes home the Berg Brothers of Bound South on Thursday.

“These 3 inspiring young men will change the lives of a local family by contributing funds to sponsor a Habitat home,” said Rob Rich, Executive Director of Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. “And as that family repays their mortgage, allowing Habitat to build more homes, the Berg brothers will be touching the lives of the families we will serve for the next 30 years.  With such a great impact, we are happy to welcome the Berg brothers home.”

“I feel that I have grown significantly as a student, leader, and brother on this journey. You learn a lot about yourself, your comrades, and the world on an adventure of this scale; it gets ingrained in your legs,” said David Berg, 19. “The conversations and silence, trials and joys, and mountains and valleys of this experience will always be with me and my brothers.”

“We’re immensely honored and inspired by the Berg brothers’ determination, generosity, and vision,” said Leann Wolff, president of the board of directors for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. “They are incredible young men and phenomenal cyclists.”

The Berg brothers want to thank all those that helped them in their journey, specifically their family and friends for their support and love, their sponsors, Scheels and Paramount Sports, for gear assistance, and all the strangers who offered a helping hand between Alaska and Argentina.

Tour de Habitat 2012 Recap

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9th Annual Tour de Habitat
March 3, 2012

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s 9th Tour de Habitat raised over $24,000 to support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build simple, decent and affordable homes for families in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Riders of the Purple Sage

Members of Riders of the Purple Sage cheer on their team member.

Sixteen teams competed in the exhilarating stationary bike race at Courts Plus for the most miles and the most money raised.  The top individual fundraiser was John Gunkleman with Good Old Boys, who raised $1,782.00.  The team that raised the most money this year was the Riders of the Purple Sage with a team total of $2,433.  Biker Builders took the award for most miles ridden as a team, with a team total of 59.7 miles.   The top mileage for men was Darrick Guthmiller with Biker Builders who biked 11.4 miles.  The top mileage for women was a tie between Darla Skaurud with Biker Builders and Tish McDonald with Good Old Boys who each biked 10.4 miles.  The Team Spirit award went to the Handlebar Honeys.

Board of Directors Team

Angie Ryan and Angie McCarthy of Habitat's Board of Directors team check in on Isaac Peloquin's progress.

Sponsors of this year’s event were Olson-Legatt Roofing, Valley Lights, Red River Plumbing & Heating, ND Interior Designers, Home Builders Association of F-M, Coldwell Banker First Realty, Floor to Ceiling Carpet One, Ken’s Sanitation, 1st Choice Apparel, and Courts Plus Fitness.

The Tour de Habitat committee would like to thank all the participants, volunteers, and sponsors for making this year’s race exciting and successful.  To view photos of the event visit our Facebook page.

Team Results Money Raised Miles Biked
Rocky & the Rockettes

$2,522

52.30
Riders of the Purple Sage

$2,453

47.00
Good Old Boys

$2,392

53.90
Habitat Board of Directors

$1,965

49.90
Barnesville Blaze

$1,846

45.60
Tireless Trekkers

$1,755

51.20
Biker Builders

$1,560

59.70
Road Warriors

$1,500

59.10
IdeaOne Telecom

$1,500

47.40
Super Sellers

$1,475

50.50
The “Trade Show” Heritage

$1,405

46.20
“Wii Not Fit” Heritage

$1,387.50

49.30
Handlebar Honeys

$1,066

51.40
Comstock Hoff Lutheran Church

$820

46.50
FM AM Rotary Lobstars

$674.99

51.00
Team Western

$358

55.18
Total

$24,519.49

  816.18

Crunch Time Fundraising Tips

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Are you signed up for Tour de Habitat 2012, but the money you need to fundraise isn’t growing on a tree in your backyard?  Are you concerned that you won’t make your fundraising goal in time for Saturday’s event?  Here at Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, we have a few tips to help pump up your fundraising before the Saturday, March 3rd event.  Try out these 5 tips and see how much money you can raise:

1.       Email fundraising Almost everyone has an email that they are checking constantly on their computers, smartphones or iPads.  Send your First Giving link to all of your friends, families and colleagues.  They will be sure to check your email and hopefully give a donation.

2.       Post on Facebook, Twitter, etc.  Posting your personal First Giving site on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media websites that you use is a great way for your followers to quickly access your site and directly donate to this cause.  In your post, explain that you are participating in Tour de Habitat and that all the money raised goes to support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.  Let your friends and followers know what your monetary goal is so that they can see how much you are raising for this event; this may entice them to help you reach your goal.

3.       Matching funds  Wouldn’t it be nice if you could raise your whole amount and then have a business match the same amount you raised?  Many businesses are often willing to match proceeds towards events such as Tour de Habitat.  It’s not too late to ask your company, your spouse’s company or a good friend that is a business owner if they would be willing to match the funds.  They will see that you are working hard to raise your amount and then they can help out too.

4.       Hold a fundraising “Blitz”  Get your team of 6 members together and decide what businesses you would like to ask to donate – then go ask them!  Dedicate one hour to go out to all the businesses that you want to ask.  Often businesses are more willing to donate if they are asked face-to-face since it’s more personal and shows them that you are taking the time to come to them.

5.       Have a fundraising contest with your team members  Challenge each other to see who can raise their money first!  Competition always adds some fun to fundraising and it’s a great way to get everyone excited for the day of the event.  Maybe the team member that raises the least is the team’s waterboy or the person that raises the most gets fanned while they ride.  You could also challenge another team that is signed up for Tour de Habitat.  The losing team has to do 10 pushups after they bike…

We hope these tips help you reach your goal before Saturday, March 3rd!  Thanks for your support towards Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.  We look forward to seeing you at Tour de Habitat 2012 at Courts Plus!

Questions?

Call Jackie at 218-284-5253 x2 or email habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org

Get Fit, Have Fun & Help Habitat!

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You know those pesky gawkers who always seem to “challenge” you from a machine over at the gym?  While these folks can take a toll on your energy and enthusiasm, there can be a purpose to it.  Interested? You chance is quickly approaching.

Each year, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity hosts Tour de Habitat. This stationary bike race involves teams that compete against each other – all in efforts to raise money for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.

Each six-person team competes for most miles biked and most dollars raised for Habitat. This year, the fundraising goal for Tour De Habitat has been set at $40,000.

Elle Tayler, who participated in last year’s event, says she enjoyed being a part of such a meaningful cause.

Members of Tayler's team: "NDID Handlebar Honeys" at the 2011 Tour de Habitat.

“First of all, it feels amazing to be part of a meaningful cause.  As for the actual event, it was a blast to see several groups being physically active and having fun with their team themes,” she said. “That was probably my favorite part – dressing up in our crazy costumes and meeting other teams.

You can still sign up!  Through February 24, teams can sign up to participate in Tour De Habitat by setting up individual fundraising pages and get ready to spin your wheels! The event is held March 3 at Courts Plus in Fargo.

Each cyclist on the team is encouraged to collect $250 for their fundraising ($1,500 for the team).  Reaching your fundraising goal isn’t difficult once each cyclist sets up their own fundraising page at www.firstgiving.com/LAHFH. After reaching out to family, friends, coworkers and neighbors, the generosity is sure to start flowing. The fundraising page securely raises money online up to the day of the event.

Tayler said the fundraising website was easy to set up and use. Several friends and family members can easily be reached through Facebook and e-mail.  In addition, it’s great for people to donate and use their credit cards online.

Taylor is an interior designer and believes in helping qualified families achieve their dream of having a place they can be proud to call home.

“Tour de Habitat is a good cause that assists families in our community with finding affordable, safe living. The event itself is a wonderful opportunity to bond with teammates and meet new people while also being physically active!” she said.

Building a team is easy!
Find 5 friends, coworkers, relatives, etc. and come up with a team name.  Then register your team by having each member set up their individual fundraising page at: www.firstgiving.com/LAHFH and follow the Team Checklist.

Questions?
Call Jackie at 218-284-5253 x2 or email habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org

Is ‘Exercise More’ on Your New Year’s Resolution List? Do you want to help Habitat?

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Tour LogoThen start a Tour de Habiat team!

You’re probably wondering what is ‘Tour de Habitat’ or how do I get involved? Each year Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity holds Tour de Habitat-an annual stationary bike race where teams compete against each other to raise money for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. All proceeds support the building of homes for families in need in Cass and Clay Counties; making homeownership a reality for these hard-working families in our area. In 2012, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity hopes to raise $40,000 through Tour de Habitat.

SBT at Tour

Team Spinning, Building Together at the 2011 Tour de Habitat

At Tour de Habitat, teams of six cyclists compete against each other for most miles biked, and most dollars raised for Habitat.  Each team member takes their turn to see how many miles they can pedal a stationary bike in one 15 minute-heat. Prizes will be awarded to both individuals and teams for the most money raised, most miles ridden, plus many more!

As a rider, you can work towards achieving your New Year’s resolution while helping to raise funds and awareness for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.  Working out isn’t your resolution?  That’s fine too!  You can still spend a fun Saturday afternoon leisurely pedaling and cheering on your teammates as you work together to make a lasting difference in the lives of local families.

How Do I Get Involved?

Start by building a team: Building a team is easy!  Find 5 friends, coworkers, relatives, etc. and come up with a team name.  Then register your team by having each member set up their individual fundraising page at: www.firstgiving.com/LAHFH and follow the Team Checklist.

Team Checklist

  1. Form a team of six riders and designate a captain. Register teams by February 24, 2012.
  2. Hold a team meeting. Decide on a team name, rider order, a theme or make a miles/funds challenge to another team.
  3. Set Fundraising Goals: $250 minimum per cyclist ($1,500 for the team). Create your own fundraising page at: www.firstgiving.com/LAHFH.
  4. Ask for help reaching your fundraising goal.  Reach out to your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, book club members, associates, Christmas card list, etc. and ask them to help you, help Habitat!  Use your fundraising page to securely raise money online up to the day of the event. Turn in “off-line” pledges (cash/checks) by March 2 at the LAHFH office (210 N 11th St. in Moorhead).
  5. Come ready to have fun on Saturday, March 3rd at Courts Plus Fitness Center!

So get started on your New Year’s resolution today – Bike to Build and Start a Team!

Questions?
Call Jackie at 218-284-5253 x2 or email habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org