Fuller Center cyclists build houses along the way
Fuller Center Bike Adventure cyclists made an overnight stop June 13-14 in Lewes at American Legion Post 17. They were about halfway on their 1,500-mile trek, which started May 26 in Tybee, Ga., and will end June 25 in Portland, Maine. Along the way, cyclists plan to stop and work on five house construction projects.
The Fuller Center for Housing, faith-driven and Christ-centered, promotes collaborative and innovative partnerships with individuals and organizations in a quest to provide adequate shelter for all people in need worldwide. The nonprofit ministry was founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 2005; they are also the founders of Habitat for Humanity. The center – based in Americus, Ga., provides funding, materials, volunteer labor and construction expertise to help those in need create simple, decent places to live.
The Lewes stop was coordinated by Michele Williams of Lewes, who is founder of the Delaware organization. Williams, an active member of Sussex Cyclists, got involved with the movement in memory of her husband Jay Kirby, who died Sept. 23, 2019, after he was struck by a car Sept. 11 at the intersection of Route 1 and Kings Highway outside Lewes.
She helped coordinate meals and activities for the cyclists. They left early June 14 on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
Williams has also taken part in two Fuller Center rides – Natchez Chase, 375 miles from Nashville, Tenn., to Jackson, Miss., and Tour de Florida, 800 miles from Tallahassee to Key West.
Other rides include Cali to California, 4,000 miles from La Jolla, Calif., to Wilmington, N.C., and Gulf Coast, 675 miles from Pensacola, Fla., to Galveston, Texas.
Before the cyclists left Lewes, Williams spoke to the group during their daily round-up. “It’s the little things that we do that can make such a big difference,” she said. “It’s important for all of us to have conversations about our great life adventures. It’s important that we interact with the people in the communities where we stop.”
Williams, a member of the Sussex Housing Group, works on policies and issues as she advocates for tiny homes and affordable housing.
She said after her husband died, she was searching for answers and meaning. It’s then that she started her housing crusade. “It’s amazing how God works,” she said.
For more information, go to fullercenter.org and fullercenterdelaware.org.
