If you happened to be traveling on Johnstone Street on the afternoon of Thursday, May 31, you may have encountered a group of young people riding bicycles.
If you did, you may have wondered who these bikers were, where they were going and what they were doing in Newberry.
Well, the answers to your questions are answered below.
What was it?
These bikers were a part of an organization called Bike & Build. What is Bike & Build? It’s an organization that was founded in 2002 by Marc Bush.
Bush wanted to expand the program, Habitat Bicycle Challenge and so he created Bike and Build.
This program allows its participants (young adults up to age 25 from all part of the United States) to travel cross country working with groups to help build affordable housing for those in need.
In 2003, Bike and Build began with two cross country rides. Today, there are eight long rides and also one short ride called Capital Ride.
The longer rides last for 81 days. Throughout its 10 years, Bike and Build has had more than 1,600 participants with $3.3 million being raised for the cause.
Where did they go?
Now, it’s time to find out where these Bike and Build participants were headed.
Off they went to the family life center at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
Why there?
Redeemer has been a host to Bike and Build groups for several years, and the family life center not only provides a resting place for the participants and their bicycles, but also a place to shower, care for their bikes and fellowship with one another.
While the bikers were getting settled, the fellowship committee cooked the evening meal for them.
As they went through the line, they were most gracious with thanking the fellowship committee for the meal. After the bikers were served, the committee ate with the participants and got to know them.
What’s next?
The next morning, the fellowship committee cooked breakfast for the young adults who were busy cleaning up and preparing for their departure. Following breakfast, the committee sent them on their way with lots of goodies to enjoy on their travels.
This is just another group of Bike & Build participants making a difference in the lives of so many people. Redeemer looks forward to hosting Bike and Build again next year.
By the way, the Bike and Build group that came to Newberry on May 31 began its journey in Charleston and will end its journey in Santa Cruz, Calif.
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