Habitat 500

This year, Steve Reetz with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Bob Grenhart (Steve's brother-in-law), and Pastor Kyle and Val Sidlo from Saron Lutheran Church rode in the Habitat 500 on behalf of Central MN Habitat for Humanity!  The 500-mile bike ride was July 10-16.  It started and ended in St. Joseph, MN and toured through the northern part of MN.  So far, the four riders have collectively raised at least $4,300.  The funds they have raised will go towards this year's Thrivent Build on 11th Ave SE in St. Cloud.  They are still taking donations through the end of August!  If you would like to donate towards their ride and towards this local build, you can donate on our website by clicking HERE, or mail a check to Central MN Habitat for Humanity, 777 Lincoln Ave NE, St. Cloud, MN 56304.  Be sure to mark "Habitat 500 and the rider's name" in the memo line of your check.

All four riders said they would do it again next year.  They enjoyed meeting new people, riding on the trails, and appreciated how well organized the event was.  There were 3 rest stops each day, all with plenty of food and water for the riders!  This year, there were 126 riders plus 40 volunteers.  The riders were well taken care of!  Collectively, the riders have raised $250,000 for a variety of Habitat affiliates nationwide and worldwide.  Riders and volunteers came from many states for this ride.  Majority of the riders and volunteers come back year after year because they enjoy the people they meet and believe in the mission of raising funds and raising awareness for Habitat for Humanity.

Steve Reetz was particularly inspired for his ride.  The night before the ride began, Steve learned that someone he had encouraged to apply for a Habitat for Humanity home had been accepted into the program at Central MN Habitat for Humanity.  He had a personal friend to ride for!

To learn more about the Habitat 500 ride, you can visit this website: http://www.habitat500.org/.  Consider riding in next year's ride!! It will be the 20th anniversary of the Habitat 500 ride and will be July 15-21, 2012.

Thanks so much to Steve, Bob, Kyle, and Val for their dedication to the Habitat mission!