While typical college students work, sleep and engage in debauchery this summer, 90 of their peers from across the country, including UW-Madison sophomore April Williamson, will bike coast-to-coast to benefit Habitat for Humanity.
Organized by Yale University students, the Habitat Bicycle Challenge, now in its tenth year, is the highest-grossing student fundraiser for Habitat, according to its website. The students involved un the show and they do it well,"" according to Habitat Family Services Coordinator Glory Lopez.
Williamson, who has been an avid biker for about two years, had previously worked on Habitat sites in her native Milwaukee and sees the nine-week HBC as a way to do even more for the affordable housing program.
""I thought this would be a good opportunity to do something really positive for Habitat,"" she said.
A press release for HBC estimates the trek will raise approximately $250,000, as each rider needs to collect at least $4,000 in pledges before the group departs from New Haven, Conn. on May 28.
Unfortunately, Williamson is ""not very close yet"" to the $4,000 goal, due to a late start in the program. To raise her share in time, she plans to send out donation request letters, go door to door in her neighborhood over spring break and possibly hold a benefit concert at Catacombs Coffeehouse later in the semester.
The HBC website says this year's proceeds will go to build several houses in the New Haven area, complete work on a project known as the ""Collegiate Build"" and contribute to Habitat programs in New Haven's sister cities.
The HBC serves a dual purpose as it also aims to raise national awareness for Habitat by splitting the riders into three groups -HBC North. HBC Central and HBC South, which will canvas the country.
Williamson will ride the HBC Central route, beginning in New Haven and ending in Portland, Ore. In cities along the way, the riders will help build at local Habitat sites and speak to residents about the organization.
""In every city we go to we're going to try to raise awareness in the towns by giving presentations about what we're doing,"" said Williamson.
The HBC expects their riders to cover 80 to 100 miles of countryside each day. ""It's probably going to be pretty hard for the first few weeks,"" said Williamson, ""but I think it'll be nice going on the road with a bunch of other people because probably they will share in my pain.\
