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Youth cyclist prepares for national housing benefit
A graduate from Mountain Home High School will join a team of bicycling enthusiasts to ride across the United States to help raise money and raise awareness for affordable housing.
Amy Hymer, who recently started her third year at Boise State University, is one of dozens of students involved in this year's Bike & Build effort.
The national nonprofit organization's yearly coast-to-coast trip is scheduled to begin in mid-June in Portsmouth, N.H. Over the next 10 weeks, the 30 students on the northern U.S. team will ride an average of 69 miles per day enroute to Vancouver, British Columbia. They expect to reach the Pacific Ocean by Aug. 25.
Along the way, Hymer and her group will participate in volunteer build days with 10 different affordable housing organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together. They will also help build homes in Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Madison, Wis.; Minot, N.D.; and Whitefish, Mont. During their stops in host communities and other cities, the group will also advocate for the need for affordable homes for all Americans.
"This will be my first cycling adventure ever and certainly not the last," she said. "I'm incredibly excited to bike across the United States for a good cause. I can't wait to make new friends, build houses for families in need, and see the beautiful Northern states of America. I look forward to the opportunity to reach out to the local communities as well as raise awareness of the affordable housing crisis."
Her family introduced Hymer to Bike and Build group about two years ago after they hosted 35 riders during their stop in Mountain Home.
"They shared the great experience with me and told me how nice all the riders were," Hymer said. "The stories my parents told me piqued my interest in wanting to know more about Bike and Build as well as Habitat for Humanity."
A year later, she helped host a second group of riders as they rode into Mountain Home.
"Shortly after meeting and talking to the riders, my mind was set on wanting to participate in the 2013 Bike and Build," she said.
Growing up in a military family and living on military installations much of her life, Hymer admits that she didn't have first-hand experience dealing with the affordable housing cause when she was younger.
"However, after discussing the issue with the riders and builders, I became more eager to learn about affordable housing and any way in which I can help," she said.
This isn't the first time that Hymer has been involved in volunteer efforts. Over the years, she's donated her time during various military related events, including Christmas carnivals for the families of deployed service members and delivering presents as Santa's elf.
During her time at Boise State, she's dedicated her time participating in volunteer efforts, including Rake Up Boise as well as assembling relief kits for the earthquake victims in Haiti. She also served as a volunteer soccer and volleyball coach for the Treasure Valley YMCA.
"Volunteering at these events has been of great importance to my life," she said.
The Northern U.S. route is one of eight cross-country trips Bike & Build offers each summer. In total, about 250 riders between the ages of 18 and 28 will see and experience first-hand the affordable housing need in this country.
In addition to volunteering their time during construction efforts in selected communities, the riders also meet with local officials and community members to discuss affordable housing issues.
"We are deeply proud of riders like Amy who are so committed to the affordable housing cause that she is willing to raise much-needed funds and spend over two months biking across the country," said Justin Villere, Bike & Build's director of operations and outreach. "Bike & Build provides the opportunity, but it is the riders who make the lasting impact in so many communities."
Before she can go on the cross-country bike ride, she needs to raise at least $4,500 to support the trip with a majority of that money donated to affordable housing organizations across the United States. To date, the donations she's received from friends and family have put her near the 50 percent mark of the total funds she needs.
To help her reach that goal, her family hosted a garage sale fundraiser earlier this month. In addition, Hymer plans to raffle a limited edition print of a Thomas Kinkade painting valued at more than $2,300. People can earn one raffle ticket for each $10 they donate.
The winning ticket will be drawn at noon June 1 at the Farmers Market in Railroad Park. The winner does not need to be present to win.
For more information on Hymer's upcoming trip or to support her effort, go online to http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/6725.