Atlanta Fuller Center Non-Profit Housing Ministry Seeks Homebuyer -County Line Road Off Of Cambellton Road

Open Saturday, July 16, 2 - 4 PM - (Campbellton Road/Niskey Lake/Arlington area, just outside I-285) - The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta, Inc., a non-profit housing ministry started by Millard and Linda Fuller (also Founders of Habitat for Humanity), is seeking a qualified family or individual for this one-story brick home with a one-car carport, 3 bedrooms, 1-1/2 baths, wonderful, level backyard. House will be fully renovated using donated funds and volunteer labor, including volunteer hours from the homebuyer(s). House will be sold for $45,000 on a NO INTEREST MORTGAGE, which will be a huge savings for the homebuyer. Nice neighborhood of well-kept homes. A qualified buyer for this home will be low income (amount depends on number of members of household), have decent credit, be able to pay a small down payment, and be willing to put in "sweat equity" in lieu of a larger down payment. Home will be sold with owner financing by The Fuller Center. No bank is involved. Preference will be given to people in need of decent housing. During the first year of occupancy of this home, buyer will be under Lease-Purchase and will undergo some homeowner education classes. At the end of the year, home purchase and sale will be finalized. Please remember that this house will be fully renovated and will be in great condition prior to homebuyer moving in. If you are interested in this great opportunity, please contact Dorothea at 404-925-1731 or Jackie at 404-966-9220.




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Millard Fuller's Sermons

Millard Fuller Sermon - "The Economics of Jesus" Part B

March 25, 1981
Furman University Chapel ("Religion-in-Life" series)
Greenville, S.C.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "God Can Use Everybody" Part A

Aug. 12, 2006
First Presbyterian Church
Sarasota, Fla.



Millard Fuller Sermon - "God Can Use Everybody" Part B
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Aug. 12, 2006
First Presbyterian Church
Sarasota, Fla.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "Building On Higher Ground" Part A

Nov. 14, 2005
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Gathering
Griffin, Ga.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "Building On Higher Ground" Part B

Nov. 14, 2005
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Gathering
Griffin, Ga.

Millard Fuller Sermon - The Millard and Linda Fuller Story

Feb. 24, 2007
Just Faith Community Gathering
Tallahassee, Fla.

Millard Fuller Sermon "Smellin' Good for Jesus"

Dec. 11, 2005
Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Allendale neighborhood
Shreveport, La.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "From Heaven to Earth"

April 20, 2008
Park View Mennonite Church
Harrisonburg, Va.

Millard Fuller Sermon - Shreveport, LA

Sept. 16, 2007
First Baptist Church
Shreveport, La.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "Brightly Shining Houses"

Oct. 23, 2005
Bel Air Presbyterian Church
Los Angeles, Calif.
Home » Millard Fuller Sermons
Millard Fuller Sermons


Millard Fuller Sermon - "The Economics of Jesus" Part A

March 25, 1981
Furman University Chapel ("Religion-in-Life" series)
Greenville, S.C.

Homeowners, contractors donate salvaged materials to those in need

Homeowners, contractors donate salvaged materials to those in need

Atlanta Fuller Center: Blessings Thrift Store Project Article

Please click on photo to enlarge story

Go Fuller Center!!! Nearly 150 bicyclists enjoy 14th annual Enaville event

http://www.shoshonenewspress.com/news/article_a10ce540-9db1-11e0-b42f-001cc4c03286.html Go Fuller Center bicycle riders! Go Fuller Center bicycle riders!

Andie Tessler Shoshone News Press |

Bright sun glinted from helmets, handlebars and spinning spokes as 145 riders lined up Tuesday evening to hit the trail for the 14th annual Ride the Wall in Enaville.

"It is a ride - it is not a race," exclaimed Joe Peak, owner of the Enaville Resort, also known as The Snake Pit.

"I hope you brought some cameras. There are some amazing vistas up at the top of the trail. Take the time. Take the time," he told the circling cyclists.

The 13-mile ride to benefit the Fuller Center for Housing and the Rose Lake Quick Response Unit took cyclists along Wall Ridge, and Peak carefully instructed the crowd on safety and the hazards of the trail, including sharp turns, new gravel and which paths to take, before they set out.

"We did have two ladies get a little ... well they got a lot lost, really," Peak said with a laugh. "I guess they didn't listen."

Aside from the wayward riders, everyone had a safe trip down the trail and made it back in time for some barbecue.

"We didn't give out one BandAid," said Peak. "QRU didn't have to go rescue anybody. The weather was so nice I think people took their time and really just made it a vacation."

The riders took off in groups, with the slower and less experienced riders taking off 20 minutes ahead of the pack of more avid cyclists, "so when you guys get back you'll have some food," Peak explained amid a wave of laughter.

The method worked - almost 200 people dug in at the Snake Pit Tuesday night and nobody went hungry.

"We had to dig a bit toward the end but we made out," Peak said.

"We feel very fortunate that Joe and Rosemary (Peak) were able to host again this year," said Judy Blalack, Fundraising Chair for the Fuller Center for Housing. "We were blessed with beautiful weather and had a lot of last-minute registrations at the event. I think we did well this year."

Proceeds from the ride will be split between the Fuller Center and Rose Lake QRU, and the Fuller Center plans to use its half to complete work on a house in Smelterville.

"The bike adventure group did a lot of work on that project, and so have our other volunteers," said Blalack. "There's still a lot left to do, though."

Five percent of the funding the Fuller Center receives from Ride the Wall will go to the Greater Blessings Project, which helps Silver Valley residents in need with minor home repairs.

"We don't have the final tally yet," said Blalack. "But this year went very well."

Help every family have a good place to call home.
4th Annual Ride: June 10 - August 14, 2011
This summer, volunteers from far and wide are riding their bicycles to help families break the cycle of poverty, supporting The Fuller Center for Housing's mission of helping families achieve safe, healthy, energy efficient, and affordable homes. Some are riding hundreds of miles for one of our nine segments, some thousands of miles as they go the whole way, and still others just a few miles in their own communities as virtual riders; all are making the world a better place.

Not that biking 75 miles per day isn't enough, but for these adventurous volunteers it's simply not enough. They visit with church folks. They speak to media. They present to civic clubs. They shamelessly beg for donations. And everyone's favorite: they stop to build or renovate houses for and with some outstanding Fuller Center partner families.

The ride is not a race, it is an invitation - an invitation for every church, business, and individual to get themselves in motion to follow Christ's call to love and serve our neighbor, most especially "the least of these." So come volunteer with us at the 2011 Millard Fuller Legacy Build. Travel and build with us around the world. Donate towards our $500,000 goal. (Please?) Ask your church to partner with us. Bring the Fuller Center to your area.

Or if you'd like, it's not too late to do some riding of your own. Sign up to be a virtual rider, or even to join for one of the segments. And we hope you will "Like" and follow the team on Facebook, or post encouraging comments on our daily blog. This ride won't be a success without you!





Opportunities to Join the 2011 Bike Adventure
Whole Way: Seattle to Washington, D.C. (June 10 - August 14)
Segment 1: Seattle to Kellogg, ID (June 10 - 18 or 19)
Segment 2: Kellogg, ID to West Yellowstone, MT (June 18 - 26)
Segment 3: West Yellowstone, MT to Salt Lake City (June 26 - July 1)

Segment 4: Salt Lake City to Denver (July 1 - 10)
Segment 5: Denver to Hill City, KS (July 9 - 17)
Segment 6: Hill City, KS to Kansas City, MO (July 17 - 24)

Segment 7: Kansas City, MO to Bloomington, IL (July 23 - 31)
Segment 8: Bloomington, IL to Columbus, OH (July 30 - August 6)
Segment 9: Columbus, OH to Washington, D.C. (August 6 - 14)

Or join for a day!

http://www.fullercenter.org/bikeadventure

New Horizons Habitat helps Fuller Center replace Bike Adventure team's trailer

Submitted On June 22, 2011

While en route to Seattle to begin its cross-country trip to raise awareness and funds for the Fuller Center for Housing's fight against poverty housing, the Fuller Center Bike Adventure team's van and trailer crashed in Burley, Idaho, on June 7.
Donors quickly stepped forward to help the team purchase a replacement van, and New Horizons Habitat for Humanity led an effort to replace the trailer. On Wednesday, New Horizons Executive Director Joel Kellam officially presented the Fuller Center with the finished trailer, fresh with new artwork promoting the Adventure's mission.



From left: Fuller Center President David Snell, New Horizons Executive Director Joel Kellam and Fuller Center Director of Covenant Partner Development Kirk Lyman-Barner
In addition to New Horizons, others stepped forward to help secure the trailer for the Fuller Center, including Cliff Sizemore and Darrie Hart of Ameri-Green Environmental Recycling LLC; Robert Littlejohn of Johnny's Sheds; Johnny Shiver of Shiver Lumber Company; Lee Pinnell of Clinic Drug Store; and Dr. Wallace Mays.

“All of the above were quick to react and lend a helping hand, and we are all thankful there were no serious injuries,” Kellam said.

“One good thing about a crisis — it does bring people together,” Fuller Center President David Snell said. “We are truly grateful to our friends and New Horizons Habitat for Humanity for pulling together the funds to replace our Bike Adventure trailer.”

Snell and his wife, Sheilla, are now en route to Colorado Springs, Colo., where they will leave the trailer for the Bike Adventure team to pick up on July 11 during its ride through Colorado.

Congratulations to Linda Fuller and Paul Degelmann on their marriage!

Linda Fuller Degelmann and Paul Degelmann after Monday's marriage ceremony

Submitted On June 21, 2011
In 1959, Linda Caldwell and Millard Fuller were married. That same year, Paul Degelmann tied the knot.

On Feb. 3, 2009, Linda lost her husband. On June 11 of that same year, Paul lost his wife, Juanine, to cancer.

On Monday, the widow and widower turned their parallel journeys into a joint one as they were united in matrimony in a simple ceremony at the Sumter County Courthouse.

“This was a very happy day for Paul and me,” said Linda, who added that the couple plan to have a “small and simple” church wedding at a later date.

“Of course we miss our father very much, but we are so incredibly happy for mom and Paul,” Faith Fuller said Tuesday. “They're like a young couple in love. … It's like a second chance for both of them. They were equally committed to their spouses for 50 years, and each had long, loving relationships.

“Neither of them chose to be widowed, they were both deeply in love and saddened by their loss -- and I think that commonality helped bring them together.”

Linda, 70, and Paul, 73, plan to continue living in Americus, and Linda plans to remain actively involved in furthering The Fuller Center for Housing's mission to fight poverty housing.

“Linda Fuller is one of the treasures of The Fuller Center, and we are all delighted that she has found someone to share her life with,” an excited Fuller Center President David Snell said. “She assures me that this won’t affect her role with us (although we did see a lot less of her during her courtship!) and Paul has promised his loyal support. This is a joyful event for all of us here at The Fuller Center for Housing.”

While daughter Faith acknowledged that the marriage is an adjustment for those closest to her parents and who see their names as synonymous with The Fuller Center for Housing and Habitat for Humanity, she said the family welcomes Paul into their lives.

“Of course, my parents, as a couple, were an institution and had an incredible legacy together,” Faith said. “But Paul is such a kind and loving person – he's like a gift to my mom. I truly could not be happier for them. This is such a huge blessing for them both.”

“Mom's recruiting for Fuller Center volunteers has gone to another level!” joked Millard and Linda's first-born son, Chris. “I am happy my mother is so happy and in love. Dianne and I have met Paul, and he is a gentleman and a scholar. We wish them the best.”



About Paul and Linda:


Paul Degelmann was born and grew up in Chicago. He received a bachelors degree in Industrial Design from Chicago Art Institute. Because of his expertise in developing energy-efficient lighting, native son and entrepreneur Larry Comer invited him to join Metalux, which was purchased by Cooper Industries in 1988.

If one "googles" Paul Degelmann, as Linda did when they were first getting acquainted, it identifies him as "inventor". He helped pioneer smaller florescent lamps and has a number of patents attributed to him.

Paul and Juanine Degelmann moved to Americus from Scottsboro, Ala., along with their two daughters, Shelly and Sandra. Shelly finished high school at Southland Academy, and Sandra at Americus High. They make their homes in Montgomery, Ala., and Vienna, Ga., respectively. Paul has four grown grandchildren.

Linda and Millard have four children, all of whom graduated from Americus High School: Chris, Kim, Faith and Georgia. They and a total of nine grandchildren live in Macon, Ga.; Argyle, Texas; Americus, Ga., and Jacksonville, Fla.

3M contributes to Kimberly Lacy's Fuller Center build in Haiti

Submitted On June 17, 2011


Kimberly Lacy, co-host of HGTV's “Curb Appeal: The Block” and an ambassador for The Fuller Center for Housing, has announced a major corporate donation for her September house-building trip to Haiti.


Kimberly Lacy
Lacy is leading a group of African-American women on a Fuller Center trip to build at least five houses in the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation. The 3M Corporation has agreed to fund the construction of two houses, and additionally has pledged to provide Lacy's team with safety equipment and other supplies.

“Two down, only three more to go!” Lacy said of her goal for the Haiti build. “We really appreciate what 3M has done for us.”

“It is so important to give back,” said Steve Barber, Product Integration Manager at 3M, where Lacy serves as one of the company's 2011 brand ambassadors.

Lacy also said that Scripps Networks, parent company of the popular HGTV television network, has agreed to help raise funds for the Haiti trip through its employee giving program.

“I'm looking forward to it,” Lacy said of the Haiti mission. “I know the situation there is something I can't even imagine. You don't really know what to expect until you actually get there.”

Lacy spoke while en route to Atlanta, where she will participate in Saturday's project with the Fuller Center's Greater Atlanta covenant partner to renovate a fire station in the Adamsville community. Since becoming an ambassador for the Fuller Center for Housing, Lacy has passionately promoted the center's mission to fight poverty housing.

“I love the mission,” Lacy said. “I appreciate being a part of the Fuller Center. You're blessed when your work is something you're passionate about.”

Click here to read about Fire Station #9 Restoration Project June 18, 2011

Click here to read more about Kimberly Lacy.

Fire Station #9 Restoration - 400 Lawyers To Attend Lakewood Project

Kimberly Lacy (HGTV) & other volunteers helping out with Fire Station #9 Restoration

Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran (Click here for Bio)
Saturday, June 18 · 8:00am - 4:00pm

Fire Station #9 Restoration
Adamsville Community, NPU-H

Atlanta Fuller Center For Housing, Inc's Community Project
Photos courtesy of Tracy Matheson Englund©






Photos courtesy of Mark Galey©

HGTV's Kimberly Lacy worked on this project







Sally Coulter






















3501 Martin Luther King Drive. NW

Atlanta Fuller Center First Non-Profit To Acheive Earth Craft Certified Renovation

The Atlanta Fuller Center is featured on page #16 of the June issue of Atlanta Home Improvement magazine.



http://www.atlantahomeimprovement.com/

People making a difference in McDonough

Article Courtesty Of Henry County Times©


http://www.henrycountytimes.com/Current%20Pages/feature.htm



Armie Robinson, right, discusses what’s next for the Simpson St. house with fellow volunteer Walter Lee Watson. Watson brings 40 years of construction knowledge to the project.

Photo by Nick Vassy, Henry County Times©

By Melissa Robinson
Contributing Editor

Betty Thompson spent most of her life cooking for others. For 35 years she worked as a cook at a nursing home in Stockbridge, but as much as she loves to cook for her family and friends, she’s restricted to a small part of her porch due to the condition of disrepair her home has fallen into.


She has lived in her house on Simpson Street in McDonough since she was three years old, and her father left her the property when he passed away. Now, in her mid 60s and unable to work because of a chronic leg condition that relegates her to a walker, Thompson no longer has the funds to do the much needed repairs to the nearly century old house.

Thompson, like much of the country, has been hit hard by economic uncertainty. In fact, she almost lost the house altogether when city inspectors came to inspect the property and deemed it unfit to inhabit. A two-story addition had to be torn down because of severe code violations and now several people, led by local resident, Armie Robinson, have taken up the cause of repairing her home, simply because she needs help.

Robinson was contacted by a good friend, who works for the City of McDonough. He learned of her plight when the friend told him that Thompson’s house was being eyed for demolition. With nowhere to go, he realized that losing her home would be the worst possible scenario for Thompson and decided to rally others to help with the effort of saving the McDonough resident’s home.

Robinson, who owns and operates the Trustus Fish Market on the corner of Racetrack Rd and Highway 42, said that he decided to help, simply because she was a person in need and he was able to do so.

“The way I see it, I may not be a professional carpenter, but my hands work, my back is healthy and I can follow directions,” said Robinson.

Robinson, his brother Ernie and several local police officers and city workers, have spent their own time making the repairs to Thompson’s home, often in the evening or on weekends. She needed electrical work re-done and Robinson was able to enlist a friend, who is an electrician, to do the work.

“My buddy is an electrician and he rewired the house for free and when I met his wife, for the first time, she said she had heard what we are trying to do for Ms. Betty, and she pulled five twenty dollar bills from her purse, and gave it to me to help with the repairs. That kind of shocked me, but that is what has been happening. This lady was a stranger to me, but to do that really left me speechless,” he said.

The work at Thompson’s home is part of a larger effort by Robinson, city workers and city officials, like councilwoman, Sandra Vincent and civic leader Shane Persaud, of the Henry County Fuller Center, to assist neighbors in the community.

Vincent is part of an organization called Piece by Piece, through the Atlanta Regional Commission, whose mission is to help halt foreclosures, stabilize neighborhoods and assist homeowners with code violation issues. She said she would like to see more church and civic group involvement, and wants to enlist young people in the community.

Vincent said she was also able to secure a commitment from Behr Paint to provide an assessment of needs and painting supplies, to assist with the ongoing effort of helping citizens.

“I’m hoping that local ministries and citizens and other organizations will get inspired in this grassroots effort,” said Vincent.

Persaud has been in contact with Thompson and several months ago, led an effort with a group of students from Eagles Landing Christian Academy, to perform cleanup and landscaping work on the property. The Fuller Center has been busy with tornado relief but is expected to play a role in not only Thompson’s house but also in the community effort of helping other senior citizens and those in need.

All of these different people from within the community are coming together to help a neighbor in need, but Robinson said it is bigger than that. It’s not about one person or one house, it’s about people in the same community helping each other, and he hopes that this effort will light a spark to lead other efforts in helping people maintain a quality of life.

As a child, Robinson remembered what it was like to not have much. A New Jersey native, he grew up relatively poor in rural Monroe Township in a ramshackle house out in the country.

“I know what it’s like to live that way. We grew up with very little, five kids in a little shack, rats and roaches. When I grew up, with my job and in my work with the kids, I put people in touch with resources. I want to continue to do that.”

He moved to the city of Trenton at age 21 and started working with the Boys and Girls Club. It was through his work with children that he caught the attention of board members who recommended him for a job with the Trenton Police Department. After twenty-five years in law enforcement in New Jersey and 37 years with the Boys and Girls Club, Robinson retired to McDonough. Even in retirement, he has found plenty to keep him busy.

“It’s not about renovating Miss Betty’s house, it’s about saving it. This could be my mother; this could be anybody’s mother. No one should have to live like that,” said Robinson.

As for Thompson, she is grateful for the help she has received and said she is surprised by how people who were once strangers, have given so much.

Robinson is organizing a work party/cookout to be held on Saturday, June 25 at Thompson’s home at 347 Simpson St. He and other volunteers will set up a smoker and sell barbecue, have a fish fry and provide other food for purchase to help raise money to finish repairing Thompson’s home. It’s also an opportunity for interested individuals or organizations to come out and volunteer to help.

“We need volunteers, for this project and for others. But if you can’t help that way, you can come out and buy a plate or a sandwich and see exactly where your dollars are going to,” said Robinson. “If you’re a carpenter, a painter or just know how to wash windows or cleanup, we need you.”

Robinson said he is also looking for donations of leftover building supplies, such as sheet rock, lumber, insulation and other materials.

“If someone is renovating their house or office and they have old doors or windows that are still in good shape, we can use them.” Eventually, he would like to have a material pool where people doing work in the community can come and take what they need at no cost.

Robinson said that the Simpson Road house has been a huge undertaking and welcomes anyone who wants to help in any way to show up on June 25 and be a part of making things better.

“When this project is over, there will be more. There are still a lot of people in need in the community, and we’ll take it one step at a time,” said Robinson. “These are our neighbors. That’s reason enough.”

For more information about the work party and cookout, contact Armie Robinson at 609-817-3316. Those interested in donating time, money or materials should also contact Robinson or Shane Persaud at 678-699-2308.

Mark Galey Demos Vacant Property Security System Donated for 10 Gould St Renovation

The Fuller Center of Atlanta’s President, Mark Galey, and Jeff Nix provides a video tour of the Vacant Property Security (VPS) system that was donated to the Fuller Center’s renovation project at 10 Gould Street in Lakewood Heights. Thanks Mark and Jeff for the demo and thanks Vacant Property Security, Inc. for the use of the system on the project.

Let The Fuller Center Bike Adventure Begin!

http://www.fullercenter.org/blogs/bike-adventure/let-the-adventure-begin


Fuller Center Public Appeal For Van
June 7, 2011 -- On the way to the kick-off of the fourth annual Fuller Center Bike Adventure in Seattle, Washington, eight of our team members riding in the support van were in an accident on Interstate 84-West. The back tire blew, and the van swerved and then flipped upside down. Although no one was seriously injured, both the van and trailer were totaled.

A trailer was recently donated to us by Joel Kellum from New Horizons Habitat for Humanity. We also recently purchased a replacement 12-15 seat van on credit so this important fundraising trip could continue. Please help us finish raising $15,000 so we can pay this purchase off and press onward with our nine-week journey from Washington state to Washington, D.C.!

Fuller Center Kicks Off Bike Adventure-YouTube Video

Become A Virtual Rider

What is a Virtual Rider?


http://www.fullercenter.org/bikeadventure/virtualrider

A Virtual Rider is an individual who is unable to participate in the Bicycle Adventure as a rider or volunteer, but would still like to fundraise and help raise awareness about the issue of poverty housing. This is a great option for those who are passionate about the work of the Fuller Center and want to be a part of this movement to help eliminate poverty housing. It is a good way to make an impact and raise awareness right in your own community. This also can be a way to raise money for your local Fuller Center covenant partner because, just like the other riders, you get to choose where your donations go.

There are two ways to virtually participate:

1. You can pledge to ride a certain amount of miles between June 10 - August 14. You can set a fundraising amount of $1, $5, or $100 a mile or however much you want to try and raise. Then go out, get people to sponsor your ride and spread the word about what you are doing and who you are riding for. This will not only help many families in need but this will give you great motivation to get outside, ride your bike and get some exercise!

2. Or if you are not a cyclist then you can still sign up as a virtual rider to be a part of this great event and to show your support of the Fuller Center for Housing. After signing up you can choose how involved you would like to get. You can set up your own fundraising events like a bake sale, a benefit concert, or follow some of our other suggestions in the fundraising guide to help the Bike Adventure riders meet their fundraising goal.

Registration

You can register online, just like every other rider but instead you select the Virtual Rider Option. You will have a required donation of $25 after you sign-up. A virtual rider receives the same benefits and help in fundraising as the other riders. This includes your own personal fundraising page that you can create to tell your friends and family about your goal.

Virtual Rider Fundraising Levels:

$100 raised - Bike Adventure T-Shirt
$500 raised - Building Materials for Life, 3 Vol. Set by Millard Fuller
$1,000 raised - Bike Adventure Jersey
$7,200 raised - We'll waive your fee on a Global Builder Trip to El Salvador!

Click here to meet the virtual riders who have already signed up!

Appeal From David Snell:Van Needed For Bicycle Fundraising Fuller Center Team

Bike Adventure team's van crashes; 4 minor injuries
Submitted On June 08, 2011

A group of eight Fuller Center Bike Adventure participants were en route from Denver to Boise last


The Bike Adventure van and trailer were totaled in the accident
night when a tire exploded on the van they were driving, causing both the vehicle and the attached trailer to swerve and flip upside down.

None of the passengers, who included Tom Weber, Ashley Rae Moore, Michael Tiemeyer, Krystal Goodwin, Ryan Iafigliola, Allen Slabaugh, Scott Umstattd and Alyssa Hostetler, were seriously injured.

The team was on its way to Seattle for the kick-off of the fourth annual Fuller Center Bike Adventure, a 3600-mile journey designed to raise money and awareness for poverty housing.

“Events like this remind us of how quickly life can take a turn,” said Fuller Center President David Snell. “We are profoundly grateful that there were no serious injuries in the accident — the good Lord was watching over them. The riders are committed to continuing the Adventure, raising awareness about the important work of The Fuller Center for Housing. Our prayers will be with them.”

Though no one was seriously injured, each passenger was affected by the accident.

Tom Weber, who at 69 is the oldest member of the team, suffered from a dislocated shoulder. He will return home to Denver, but hopes to rejoin the team later.

Also treated for minor injuries at the Cassia Regional Medical Center in Burley, Idaho were Ashley Rae Moore, and newlyweds Michael Tiemeyer and Krystal Goodwin.

The couple met during the 2009 Bike Adventure and were married May 20 of this year. This year’s Bike Adventure is their honeymoon.

For Allen Slabaugh, the Bike Adventure team leader, the event was a flashback. On March 2, 2007, Slabaugh was a member of the Bluffton University baseball team whose bus fell from an overpass onto Interstate 75 near Atlanta. Seven people were killed, and seven others were seriously injured in the highly publicized crash.

“That was just four years ago, so that's still somewhat fresh in my mind,” said Slabaugh. “When it started rolling, it felt very similar. Anytime your van rolls, it's scary.

Ryan Iafigliola, the driver of the van, was briefly trapped in the upside-down vehicle before fellow team members were able to free him from the smoldering van.

“With all the damage to the driver's side, for Ryan to be able to make it out was pretty amazing, along with everybody else,” Slabaugh said.

Alyssa Hostetler regroups after the accident
The van and trailer were totaled in the accident, but the bikes are relatively undamaged, as the trailer's door held firm during the crash.

“It was an act of surgery to get the bikes out,” said Scott Umstattd, the team's media coordinator. “It was like a MASH unit setup for the bicycles, like triage.”

“Everyone on the van was calm, cool and collected. And then 10 minutes later, they went into repair mode,” he added.

The team currently is trying to acquire a replacement van and trailer.

Despite this setback, the team is determined to press ahead.

“I asked if anyone else needed to go home, and no one was interested,” Iafigliola said. “I've been in similar situations where everyone was scared and cranky, but I think everybody's handled it with good humor.”'

This dedicated team needs your support now more than ever.

Please consider making a donation to the trip

Visit the Bike Adventure Facebook page to send words of encouragement

Check for updates from the team on the Bike Adventure blog

Meet the Bike Adventure Riders

Posted From TAP
4 volunteers hurt when van crashes during
cross-country trip to raise money for Fuller
Center

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: June 08, 2011 - 12:49 pm



ATLANTA — Four volunteers of a Georgia nonprofit were hurt in a van crash in Idaho as they traveled across the country on a fund-raising trip, officials with the organization said.

The injured volunteers were among a group of eight cyclists who were riding in a van when it crashed Tuesday night near Burley, Idaho, said Chris Johnson, a spokesman for the Americus-based Fuller Center for Housing.

A rear tire on the van blew, and the vehicle landed on its roof, he said.

The injured volunteers — three from Georgia and one from Colorado — were taken by ambulance to a hospital, where they were treated, Johnson said. All four have been released from the hospital, Johnson said Wednesday.

The volunteers are cyclists pedaling a 3,600-mile route from Seattle to Washington, D.C., to raise money for the Fuller Center. The nonprofit builds and repairs homes.

The injured Georgia volunteers were identified by the Fuller Center as Ashley Rae Moore, 22, of Athens; and newlyweds Michael Tiemeyer and Krystal Goodwin, both 29, of Savannah. Also hurt was Tom Weber, 69, of Colorado, who suffered a dislocated shoulder, officials said.

The van was towing the trailer for the Fuller Center Bike Adventure team.



From President Of Fuller Center:


Yesterday evening, around 5pm Mountain time, our Bike Adventurers were on their way from Denver to Boise on Interstate 84-West when a back tire blew. The van and trailer twisted and swerved and then flipped, landing upside down.

Eight passengers - five men and three women -- were inside. It's a miracle no one was seriously injured. One of the passengers did suffer a dislocated shoulder and the others escaped with minor scrapes and bruises. Unfortunately the van and the trailer are completely totaled, but the team is in good spirits and doing their best to stay on schedule.

Their biggest need at the moment is finding a replacement van. If you know of anyone willing to lend or donate a 12-15 seat van, please let me know right away.



Thank you for keeping the Bike Adventure team in your thoughts and prayers as they regroup and move forward with their nine-week journey from Washington State to Washington D.C. scheduled to kick off this Sunday, June 12th from Seattle.

We are so impressed and grateful for this dedicated group of volunteers who are showing incredible grace, resilience and courage, and thankful to God for protecting them from harm.

For updates, to donate or to send words of encouragement:

Bike Adventure Facebook Page
Bike Adventure Blog
Bike Adventure Event Page
Twitter
News Story about the accident

You can quickly and easily leave comments on Facebook, Twitter and the Blog listed above. I know it would mean a great deal to the riders to hear from you.

In Christian friendship,

David's Signature

David Snell
President, The Fuller Center for Housing