Bike and Build 2013

I am a 23 year old Midwesterner with a real passion for adventure and community. Currently enrolled in my first year at the Indiana University School of Optometry, I am working to pursue both of these passions this summer through a program called Bike and Build.

Over nine seasons, Bike and Build has helped contribute over three million dollars to housing groups to fund projects planned and executed by young adults, such as myself. If I reach my goal of $4,000 raised, I will be biking from Virginia to Washington state while stopping on the way to help build houses and spread awareness for the affordable housing cause. The money raised will be used to fund these housing projects as well as cover my room and board for the duration of the trip.

Having a home is something of an American birthright, embodying our immortal creed of independence and freedom. Introducing more affordable housing into the American landscape allows those in need of it a strong foothold in becoming confident and respected members of society. As such, people from different economic, social and ethnic backgrounds are able to confidently coexist, resulting in diverse, yet unified, communities. By donating to my cause, you will be helping perpetuate this ideal in the most fundamental of ways; a grassroots campaign built simply on hard work and a belief that ordinary people are able to make big changes in the world.