Fuller Center biker group aids Aurora homeowners

By Ken Lahmers
The Aurora Advocate

Aurora, Ohio — For a couple of days last week, a dozen bicyclists who are riding from Niagara Falls to New Orleans stopped in town to help three local residents with home repairs.

The group is participating in the third annual Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure sponsored by Geico. Along the way while traveling through 11 states, the group hopes to raise $250,000 for the work of the Fuller Center for Housing.

The dozen bicyclists, led by Ryan Iafigliola, enjoyed a potluck dinner June 24 at the Church in Aurora at the invitation of that church’s and the Aurora Mennonite’s home improvement program.

The bicyclists are ambassadors for the Fuller Center for Housing, helping to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing for low-income, hardworking families.

Throughout the 50-day trip, which is expected to wind up the first week in August, the team will help build and renovate homes in six states, while speaking to church groups and civic organizations.

Funds raised go toward building and repairing homes in New Orleans, Haiti, North Korea and a total of 16 countries.

June 24 was the fourth day of the bike ride, which started June 20. The group rode from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, N.Y. through Erie, Pa., and into Aurora.

THE DAY after the potluck — June 25 — the bicyclists were headed off to Youngstown before turning south toward Virginia.

More people are expected to join the group along certain stretches of the route. Some of the participants are from Northeast Ohio.

"We move on faith," said Iafigliola, who added the group had raised $42,000 by the time it left Aurora. "When we tackle a project, we sometimes don’t know how it will get done, but God sees that it happens." Continue reading>>


The Bike Adventure route along with videos and photos can be found here.