Local Woman to Bicycle Across U.S. Affordable Housing Efforts

Danielle Jahn, a Gainesville resident and recent University of Florida graduate, will set off on a cross-country bicycle trip this summer to raise money for affordable housing efforts.  The trip is organized through the nonprofit organization Bike & Build.  As part of her fundraising and awareness efforts, Danielle sets up a booth at the Haile Village Farmers’ Market every week.  The market runs on Saturday mornings from 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and Danielle’s booth can be found near The Village Jeweler.

 

Bike & Build, whose mission statement is “pedaling to end poverty housing,” was founded in 2002 and has contributed over $1.1 million to affordable housing groups to fund projects planned and executed by young adults.  Bike & Build participants, all ages 18-25 years old, have cycled over 2.2 million miles to raise awareness of this social issue.

 

Danielle’s route departs from Boston, Massachusetts on June 11th and arrives in Santa Barbara, California on August 15th.  Her itinerary totals 3,656 miles and she will be biking between 23 and 112 miles per day.  Along the way, she and the other cyclists on the trip will be cycling from town to town and sleeping in community centers, churches, and schools.  Each night, the riders present on the affordable housing crisis in the community that is hosting them.  They will also spend nine days building with Habitat for Humanity in various cities.

 

Before the trip, each rider is required to raise $4,000.  This money is donated to affordable housing groups like Habitat for Humanity and helps cover the cost of the trip.  Danielle collects donations and sells sterling silver bicycle charms, donated by RellerGold.com, and t-shirts that she designed and screen printed to help raise this money at her booth in Haile Village.  She also has more information available about Bike & Build through brochures and loves to talk about all aspects of the trip with anyone who wants to stop by.  One of her bikes and some of her gear will be with her as well.

 

If you would like additional information but can’t make it on Saturdays, you can contact Danielle at danielle.jahn@gmail.com or visit www.bikeandbuild.org.