BICYCLE ADVENTURE TOPS MILLION-DOLLAR MILESTONE!

Early last week, The Fuller Center for Housing’s single biggest fundraising event — the Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure — calculated that it had reached $998,000 in all-time funds raised to fight poverty housing.

With the $1 million milestone so close, the Bicycle Adventure launched an effort to hit a million by the end of the week. Somewhere between Helena and Deer Lodge, Montana, they met their goal.

“It is so cool that we’ve reached this milestone on the ride this summer and totally fitting that we’re celebrating as we’re making our way across the country with our largest team ever,” said Melissa Merrill, who has volunteered to lead the Adventure for the second straight year.

“This is just unbelievable,” said Ryan Iafigliola, who founded the Bicycle Adventure in 2008 and now serves as The Fuller Center’s Director of International Field Operations. “We’re so blessed to have so much love and support showered on us, and this $1 million has, in turn, blessed so many around the country and the world.

“The $1 million is not sitting in some bank account earning 1 percent interest — it’s getting a much better return than that,” he added. “It’s in our houses and our neighborhoods, invested in the lives of children and getting re-paid forward so that it can help families for generations to come.”

“It’s amazing and humbling to look back at all the donors, supporters, church hosts and even random strangers who have helped make the Bike Adventure such a success,” Merrill added. “Thank you for your help. I can’t wait to see what’s next!”

While it has taken seven years to reach the first million dollars raised by the Bicycle Adventure, both Iafigliola and Merrill hope the second million comes in just four or five years — or less. Now that the Adventure has cleared the million-dollar milestone, the journey to the second million already is under way.

CLICK HERE TO HELP THEM ON THEIR WAY TO THEIR SECOND MILLION!