What have you signed up to do this time?

I've had this dream for a long time: that we could raise enough money to build an entire house in El Salvador. So, it sounds a bit crazy, but I'm shooting for the stars and setting my goal at $12,000 which is the cost of a new home in Apaneca, El Salvador. I’m going to be riding with up to 35 other cyclists from Seattle to San Diego to raise funds toward this goal. And then September 27-October 5, 2025 I will be leading a team to Apaneca to build the very house we've raised funds for. You can read more about the West Coast Bike Adventure at fullercenterbikeadventure.org. You can read more about the build trip to El Salvador at https://fullercenter.org/upcoming-trips/.

Why are you doing it?

I've had the privilege of leading two Fuller Center build teams to Apaneca, El Salvador and I've witnessed the life-changing difference that these builds are having on these dear people in El Salvador. Also, I love bicycle touring and the opportunity to take on a "big hairy challenge"!

What’s the Fuller Center?

A 501(c)(3) ecumenical Christian organization that believes everyone in the world deserves the opportunity to have a decent home in which to live. Millard and Linda Fuller were self-made millionaires who gave away their fortune in 1969 to follow God's leading. They lived the rest of their lives on humble means and dedicated themselves to providing decent housing to over a million people in 100 countries around the world, culminating in their founding of the Fuller Center in 2005.

Ok, but what does the Fuller Center do?

It builds and repairs homes using volunteers in partnership with families, who help with the work and pay it forward using a no-profit, no-interest loan that gets repaid to help more families.

It works through a grassroots network of volunteer-driven Fuller Centers in 90 U.S. towns and cities and in 20 countries around the world. Work includes community transformation in El Salvador, Armenia and Madagascar to disaster recovery in places like Mayfield, Kentucky and in Haiti to name a few.

It’s built or repaired over 8,000 homes – enough to house 30,000 people! Learn more about the impact here.

What happens to my donation?

The Fuller Center is known for maximizing donations by putting as much of the funds towards the work as possible. Their independent audit estimated that 94% of the funds go directly to program expenses, with only 6% to administrative and fundraising costs. This is a MUCH higher percentage to program than most groups given that the industry standard is 65% to program. The organization is also rated GuideStar Platinum, the charity evaluator's highest certification.

During the ride we live very simply, sleeping on the floors of gracious and generous church hosts, resulting in only about 2-3% of the funds raised helping to cover Bike Adventure expenses on the road.

Are there other ways I can help?

The rides do need crucial support volunteers and media interns (and often more riders!) if you’re interested in coming along, but besides that, your encouragement and your prayers for health, safety, and a great team would be highly appreciated. THANK YOU so much! This is a team event, and it’s not just the riders: by helping YOU are part of the team!