FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Pierce, (334) 501-4276 or lisa@arm-al.org
3 Days, 3 States, 245 Miles-Cyclists Cross Alabama to Raise Funds for Poverty Housing Alleviation
OPELIKA – Friday, April 13, 2018 –
From Friday, April 20th-April 22, 10 cyclists will be crossing Alabama to raise awareness about the housing needs in some of the poorest areas of our country while raising money for home repairs in Lee, Macon and Sumter counties. Their ride will cover 85, 96, and 56 miles respectively for three days.
The Ninth Annual Cycle of Service benefits Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM), a home-repair and housing ministry based in Opelika and working through the Black Belt of Alabama. Most of the households ARM serves are led by the elderly, disabled or single parents who live on limited or fixed incomes. ARM is also providing repair for our veterans” said Lisa Pierce, ARM’s executive director. ARM also hosts two free summer day camps for underserved children in Livingston and Tuskegee.
This year’s goal is to raise $25,000, which will be applied to the cost of purchasing the construction materials the organization uses in repairing homes for up to 30 families, Pierce said. One such family is Ms. Mae who lives in Tuskegee. Last year her husband, a Navy veteran passed away. Ms. Mae uses a motorized scooter for mobility. She needed a new roof and her kitchen floor was in danger of collapsing. Volunteer groups including several from Auburn and Tuskegee have been helping Ms. Mae and their final project is installing a handicap accessible shower. The cyclists are looking forward to riding so they can help her.
Cyclists participating in the Cycle of Service will ride for five to eight hours a day. Profiles of the riders can be found at http://cycleofservice.arm-al.org The ride begins at 8:00 a.m. at the fire station in Cuba, Alabama and will end Sunday afternoon at the 14th Street Bridge in Phenix City near the river.
Some riders will participate all three days, while others will join various legs of the ride, mostly along U.S. 80: Below is the basic route
Day 1: Livingston to Selma
Day 2: Selma to Tuskegee
Day 3: Tuskegee to GA state line
Spin Class Competition: Local gyms in Auburn/Opelika will be challenging their spin classes to each log 245 miles from April 1-May 22nd. The Opelika Sports Plex and Moore’s Mill Gym are participating gyms. There is a $35 registration fee. Registration is still open for this event.
For more information about the ride event, go to http://cycleofservice.arm-al.org or www.facebook.com/Bikebama