Wow! Okay, so I don't want to hog the communal computer, so this will be a quick update. The trip so far in bullets:
- Completed 508 of 3,863 miles; rode through RI, CT, NY, and now in PA
- Painted a near-completed duplex with Habitat Providence with a cordial Dutchman named Hermann
- East Coast mountains seem much larger from a bicycle seat... and road kill is much smellier
- People are willing to give you free ice cream if you ask them (and explain what you're doing)
- It is possible to feel comfortable with 29 other people in the span of a few days.
- Riding in the rain makes time pass more quickly.
- Chores are more readily completed when turned into dance parties (you know, the cleaning kind).
- Meeting people from all sorts of backgrounds will never grow old.
- I am continually learning about myself and my own abilities.
Those are the most important for now, but I'll definitely try to post more later! Unfortunately, I can't upload any photos at the moment, but hopefully will in the future...
If the Bike and Build application is working correctly, you should be able to see photos of me on my profile here. (click the camera... I don't know if it's working yet)
70 miles tomorrow to Warren, PA!!! It's definitely time to get ready for tomorrow and get some sleep!
Showing posts with label bike and build. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bike and build. Show all posts
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Douglas Fundraising Event!
On March 31st, Mark and I held a bake sale at the Graduate School of Education, which was a rousing success! Not only did we raise almost $100 for affordable housing, but we met a girl who needed to pair a beneficiary with a sponsor who was willing to hold an event to raise money. What luck!
As a result, this past Thursday we held a fundraiser at Douglas Cosmetics for Bike and Build!
10% of all sales between 5pm and 7pm went to Bike and Build, and Douglas had a number of fun extras planned, too!
- Everyone who came and mentioned Bike and Build while making a purchase received 10% off.
- If a purchase was over $100, the customer was able to choose a scent of his/her choice from a gift table
- Free food!
- Free facial massages!
- Free makeovers!
Overall, everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun! We are still waiting for final numbers, but I believe we earned close to $200!
As you can see, I am creeping every closer to my fundraising goal -- I think we may even exceed it, which is fabulous!
52 days until the trip!
I've almost put 400 miles on my bike, and I definitely feel much more capable of biking all day every day for 2 months than I did at the beginning of the year! I hope to make a second trip out to Valley Forge this weekend. The weather forecast says it may rain, but I guess I need to get used to riding in the rain, since there won't be an option this summer! :)
Thank you thank you thank you so much for your support!! This is a truly wonderful cause, and certainly one that needs to be recognized.
As a result, this past Thursday we held a fundraiser at Douglas Cosmetics for Bike and Build!
10% of all sales between 5pm and 7pm went to Bike and Build, and Douglas had a number of fun extras planned, too!
- Everyone who came and mentioned Bike and Build while making a purchase received 10% off.
- If a purchase was over $100, the customer was able to choose a scent of his/her choice from a gift table
- Free food!
- Free facial massages!
- Free makeovers!
Overall, everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun! We are still waiting for final numbers, but I believe we earned close to $200!
As you can see, I am creeping every closer to my fundraising goal -- I think we may even exceed it, which is fabulous!
52 days until the trip!
I've almost put 400 miles on my bike, and I definitely feel much more capable of biking all day every day for 2 months than I did at the beginning of the year! I hope to make a second trip out to Valley Forge this weekend. The weather forecast says it may rain, but I guess I need to get used to riding in the rain, since there won't be an option this summer! :)
Thank you thank you thank you so much for your support!! This is a truly wonderful cause, and certainly one that needs to be recognized.
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Sun is Shining on Affordable Housing
Wow! The weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately, so you know what that means -- bike riding and outdoor fundraising!!
Today I had a long afternoon of canning along with a fellow Bike and Builder! If you are unfamiliar with the term "canning," it basically means "standing on the corner/along the sidewalk holding signs and collecting donations of spare change with a coffee can from cars, motorcycles, trucks, pedestrians, and other cyclists who pass by." After two hours (we left when rush hour started to die down) and splitting the donations collected, we both walked away with $95 to support affordable housing!!
Though this was a worth-while experience, there is still a ways to go! I'm sure there will be more canning in the future.
As for bike riding...
Since the weather has been so nice, the Neighborhood Bike Works Racing Team has been out and about for training!! Riding with the team is always a pleasure, and I've definitely learned more about cycling efficiency! I'm not exaggerating when I say these kids could kick my butt in a bike race -- they are so speedy!
So far, I have put 143.45 miles on my Bike and Build bike, which is 28.65% of the way to my goal of 500 miles before Bike and Build begins!
Now, it is time to take a shower and get ready for bed -- I need to be up early to drive the van for and participate in a Habitat Build tomorrow!
Today I had a long afternoon of canning along with a fellow Bike and Builder! If you are unfamiliar with the term "canning," it basically means "standing on the corner/along the sidewalk holding signs and collecting donations of spare change with a coffee can from cars, motorcycles, trucks, pedestrians, and other cyclists who pass by." After two hours (we left when rush hour started to die down) and splitting the donations collected, we both walked away with $95 to support affordable housing!!
Though this was a worth-while experience, there is still a ways to go! I'm sure there will be more canning in the future.
As for bike riding...
Since the weather has been so nice, the Neighborhood Bike Works Racing Team has been out and about for training!! Riding with the team is always a pleasure, and I've definitely learned more about cycling efficiency! I'm not exaggerating when I say these kids could kick my butt in a bike race -- they are so speedy!
So far, I have put 143.45 miles on my Bike and Build bike, which is 28.65% of the way to my goal of 500 miles before Bike and Build begins!
Now, it is time to take a shower and get ready for bed -- I need to be up early to drive the van for and participate in a Habitat Build tomorrow!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sweat Equity
I've been a bit short on time for updating lately, due to preparations for Bike and Build, school work, and work study/graduate assistantship things, so I think I'm long overdue for an update!
I received my bike in early January!
Training is going well! I have been going to the gym regularly and, when it hasn't been snowing, riding my bike! I recently started a work-study job with Neighborhood Bike Works, which is very exciting because I work with their Ride Club and an elementary school Bike Safety Class. Once it gets warmer, the Ride Club will be riding around outside, which means I will be able to get in some good training while working for a great organization!
Working with NBW has definitely improved my bike maintenance skills, which is super fantastic.
In other news... on January 30, 2010, a cold and snowy day, I completed 8 hours of sweat equity! (For Bike and Build we need at least 8 hours of volunteering for an affordable housing organization). I occasionally drive for the Penn Habitat chapter, and drove the van out to Salem, NJ, where we were installing wall and ceiling insulation in a house that will soon be handed over to a woman and her two children! How very exciting!!! :) I must say I need to improve my grip strength, though; those staple guns can be hard to trigger!
Anywho, keep the donations coming! I have been cooking up some fundraising schemes, but still need your support!
Remember, you can donate here: http://www.bikeandbuild.org/rider/3628 or here: http://www.bikeandbuild.org/donate (please remember to select my name -- Maslowsky, Brittany -- from the drop-down menu!)
OR donate by check by following the instructions to the right or in the previous entry!
I received my bike in early January!
Training is going well! I have been going to the gym regularly and, when it hasn't been snowing, riding my bike! I recently started a work-study job with Neighborhood Bike Works, which is very exciting because I work with their Ride Club and an elementary school Bike Safety Class. Once it gets warmer, the Ride Club will be riding around outside, which means I will be able to get in some good training while working for a great organization!
Working with NBW has definitely improved my bike maintenance skills, which is super fantastic.
In other news... on January 30, 2010, a cold and snowy day, I completed 8 hours of sweat equity! (For Bike and Build we need at least 8 hours of volunteering for an affordable housing organization). I occasionally drive for the Penn Habitat chapter, and drove the van out to Salem, NJ, where we were installing wall and ceiling insulation in a house that will soon be handed over to a woman and her two children! How very exciting!!! :) I must say I need to improve my grip strength, though; those staple guns can be hard to trigger!
Anywho, keep the donations coming! I have been cooking up some fundraising schemes, but still need your support!
Remember, you can donate here: http://www.bikeandbuild.org/rider/3628 or here: http://www.bikeandbuild.org/donate (please remember to select my name -- Maslowsky, Brittany -- from the drop-down menu!)
OR donate by check by following the instructions to the right or in the previous entry!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Appreciations and Why Bike and Build?
A HUUUGE THANK YOU to everybody who has donated so far! Every little bit helps. Please remember that you're not simply helping me to make a difference this summer; you are making a difference by contributing to the affordable housing effort.
If you have not yet had the opportunity to donate and would like to, remember that you can go to my profile here and click "Donate."
If you prefer to send your donation by mail, please make out your check to Bike and Build and be sure to write my name (Brittany Maslowsky) in the memo line! You can then mail it to:
Bike & Build, Inc.
6109 Ridge Ave. Bldg 2
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Remember -- donations are Tax Deductible!!
Why did I choose Bike & Build, you might ask? As I mentioned in my Bike and Build profile, I spent all of last year working with inner-city children, an overwhelming number of whom are directly affected by the affordable housing problem. I witnessed the direct impact that a lack of adequate housing has on a student’s attitude, motivation, focus, and overall performance. One of my literary students had to leave the school only months into the year because her family had to move into a shelter, disrupting not only the progress she was making, but, more importantly, her life.
While one of my larger goals is to make a difference across the United States, I also want to talk to people, see how things are in different locations, and incorporate new ideas for addressing this problem into my studies in order to better contribute to the communities I aim to serve.
I have a facebook group! You can join it here!
If you have not yet had the opportunity to donate and would like to, remember that you can go to my profile here and click "Donate."
If you prefer to send your donation by mail, please make out your check to Bike and Build and be sure to write my name (Brittany Maslowsky) in the memo line! You can then mail it to:
Bike & Build, Inc.
6109 Ridge Ave. Bldg 2
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Remember -- donations are Tax Deductible!!
Why did I choose Bike & Build, you might ask? As I mentioned in my Bike and Build profile, I spent all of last year working with inner-city children, an overwhelming number of whom are directly affected by the affordable housing problem. I witnessed the direct impact that a lack of adequate housing has on a student’s attitude, motivation, focus, and overall performance. One of my literary students had to leave the school only months into the year because her family had to move into a shelter, disrupting not only the progress she was making, but, more importantly, her life.
While one of my larger goals is to make a difference across the United States, I also want to talk to people, see how things are in different locations, and incorporate new ideas for addressing this problem into my studies in order to better contribute to the communities I aim to serve.
I have a facebook group! You can join it here!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Acceptance!
Bike and Build is a non-profit organization that raises funds for affordable housing projects, garners media and community attention for the affordable housing cause, fosters leadership and lifelong philanthropic service through annual summer bike trips for youth between the ages of 18 and 25 (28 for leaders).
Each trip goes across the U.S. and lasts 2 months, starting on the East Coast and ending on the West Coast. Along the way, riders stop to assist in affordable housing projects and raise money for and awareness about affordable housing issues!
And I've been assigned to the Providence, RI to Seattle, WA trip this summer!!
I am SO STOKED. In order to participate, I need to raise $4,000 in donations for Bike and Build!
You can visit my Bike and Build profile here!
There is a button there to donate, should you feel so inclined! :D
Currently, I am brainstorming fundraising ideas. If you have some, please leave a comment!
Each trip goes across the U.S. and lasts 2 months, starting on the East Coast and ending on the West Coast. Along the way, riders stop to assist in affordable housing projects and raise money for and awareness about affordable housing issues!
And I've been assigned to the Providence, RI to Seattle, WA trip this summer!!
I am SO STOKED. In order to participate, I need to raise $4,000 in donations for Bike and Build!
You can visit my Bike and Build profile here!
There is a button there to donate, should you feel so inclined! :D
Currently, I am brainstorming fundraising ideas. If you have some, please leave a comment!
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