Be sure to scroll though the pictures at the top to see firsthand what the Fuller Center for Housing is all about. 

Believe it or not, I have decided not to do a bike ride with Fuller this year. What?? Yup, you can imagine what a tough decision that has been with ten incredibly rewarding and meaningful rides under my belt. But for many hard but good reasons, I’ve determined to stay home instead, prioritizing the work being done here in Utah by our local Fuller chapters. Seems more and more folks around here are seriously in need of a hand up with their homes in order to be safe and sound. Many of them won’t be able to stay in their homes unless daunting repairs and improvements are made. Can you imagine becoming disabled and having to leave your family home because you can’t afford a wheelchair ramp? Just imagine your veteran neighbor having to move out because his roof is leaking but he doesn’t have the means to repair it. I see these situations often and they tug hard at my heartstrings, for this is precisely why Fuller exists! So this summer I’ll be logging my “bike miles” a different way: still raising funds to support this all-important mission, but doing it through lots of work days near home. Hammer-swinging and paintbrush-slinging, here I come!

And I invite you to join me—in person or virtually.

The Fuller Center for Housing is an international, ecumenical, Christian 501(c )(3) that believes everyone in the world deserves to have a decent home to live in. Millard and Linda Fuller were self-made millionaires who gave away their fortune in 1969 to follow God's leading, living the rest of their lives on humble means and dedicating themselves to providing decent housing around the world. They founded Habitat for Humanity in 1976 and the Fuller Center for Housing in 2005. Both organizations continue their invaluable work worldwide today. In the US, the Fuller Center’s more than 100 local chapters primarily provide essential home repairs and improvements. In the 20 other countries where it operates, Fuller builds new affordable homes from the ground up and renovates existing homes, thus making huge progress toward eliminating poverty housing. Right here in my own state, I was privileged to join the Fuller story in 2019 by implementing the founding of Utah’s very first Fuller chapter. And now it is one of four!  

Can you tell I’m passionate about this organization and the outstanding work it’s doing for folks who need a hand up? I sure hope so. And I hope you’ll join me. We have a truly remarkable group of dedicated volunteers and supporters who, like me, believe in making a difference in ways that empower needy people to help themselves and others. When homeowners receive Fuller’s help with their homes, they then make small monthly contributions in amounts they can afford and choose themselves, thus discovering the great joy of giving back to the next family in need of a similar hand up. I wish you could see the grins and excitement on the faces of our grateful recipients because of the critical repairs they’ve received and because of the opportunity they get to help a neighbor receive the same! That’s the essence of community: everyone helping each other to thrive despite hardship.

When it comes to making charitable donations, I understand you have an important decision to make. You want to invest wisely. As you consider ways you’ll make a difference in the world, know you can give to the Fuller Center for Housing with confidence. Fuller is widely known for maximizing its donations. It is rated “GuideStar Platinum,” the charity evaluator's highest certification. The nonprofit industry minimum standard calls for only 65% of donated funds to go directly to programs, but Fuller’s most recent independent audit shows that it uses a whopping 94% of its donated funds to do so! Its tiny 6% portion used for administration and overhead is almost unheard of among 501(c) (3)s. An investment in the Fuller Center is a wise one.

If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation in support of me and the work Fuller is doing, just click either the "Donate" button at the top on the right or at the bottom. If you prefer to send a check, see the "Offline Payment Instructions" button below to learn how. Be sure to write “Bike – Ann Coleman” in the memo line of your check.

EVERY donation, large or small, helps. Together, as a team, we can help meet the urgent need for safe and affordable housing. Let’s go help lots of folks in need and work together to end poverty housing! We truly cannot do it without you.

If you want to know more, click on Fuller’s website and Fuller’s biking website. Also feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have. THANKS in advance for your support. I can’t express how much it means to me!

Love,

Ann