Bike & Build Southern US 2009 Tour to help build home in Garland

by PegNews wire

Thirty-two college students will arrive in Dallas on July 8 as part of a cross-country bike trip to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing and to help provide it. The volunteers will build in Garland on July 9 before starting the next phase of their journey. Dallas is just one of the stops on Bike & Build’s Southern US 2009 tour, which will total 3,510 miles by the time the 32 young adults reach San Francisco, Calif. on August 14.

Bike & Build raises funds and awareness for affordable housing projects as cyclists make their way across the country. Along the Southern US tour, the group will stop in six cities to build homes with local housing organizations. After six seasons of the charitable program, Bike & Build has contributed $1.6 million to housing groups to fund projects planned and executed by the young adults making the cross-country journey.

The Southern US 2009 tour began in Jacksonville, Florida, on June 10 and has raised $148,619 for affordable housing builds so far. By the time the tour reaches Dallas, the group will have biked 1,098 miles.

Bike & Build was founded in 2002 by Marc Bush. More than 550 riders have participated since the organization was created and can now choose between eight routes across the country. The Southern US route makes its way through Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California.

To learn more about Bike & Build or to make a donation to the Southern US team, visit www.bikeandbuild.org.