Stephen Bike & Build voluneers Stephen Mills (left) of Pensacola, Fla., and Dylan Kelly, of Atlanta cut wallboard. (David Boraks photo)

Volunteers are at the heart of Davidson Housing Coalition’s Hammers emergency home repair program, but there was something different about the crew repairing ceilings and walls at a  home off North Main Street in Cornelius Tuesday. Their work came in the midst of a cross-country bicycle ride devoted to affordable housing, through an organization called Bike & Build.

The 31 volunteers – most college students or recent grads – make up one of eight work crews biking and working their way cross country this summer through Philadelphia-based Bike & Build. In six years, the organization has contributed more than $1.6 million to affordable housing projects nationwide. And its young participants – who must raise at least $4,000 each to join –  have provided volunteer labor during their coast-to-coast rides.

On Tuesday, the group of 31 – all wearing blue Bike & Build T-shirts – were at a home on Cornelius Street, off North Main Street in Cornelius. There, they replaced ceilings and repaired walls at the home of an older couple who had sought help through the housing coalition’s Hammers emergency home-repair program.

Zach Jakob, Hammers supervisor for Davidson Housing Coalition, said the volunteer labor provided by Bike & Build is “invaluable.” What this group will do in a day “could’ve taken weeks with our regular volunteer crew,” he said.

Hammers has been around since 2003 when the housing coalition and Davidson College began exploring a way to add home-repairs to the coalition’s services. The name actually stands for Hands Around Mecklenburg/Mooresville Making Emergency Repairs Safely. It takes on home repair projects for those in need on a first-come, first-served basis, Mr. Jacob said.

Tuesday’s project builds on ties the coalition is forging with Bike & Build. Last fall, a dozen Bike & Build riders came to Davidson for the coalition’s fund raising Ride for Hope & Housing, said coalition executive director Marcia Webster.

“We’re becoming more connected,” Ms. Webster said. She said this project makes a big difference. “We’re getting this done sooner than we would have, perhaps weeks or months.”

Besides raising money and providing free labor, Bike & Build says its mission is to introduce young adults to the cause of affordable housing through fun and service. Those in the group Tuesday were from a wide range of locations and backgrounds.

“We’re from all over the country,” said Anna Parker, a 2007 William & Mary graduate who is one of three “route leaders” with the group. The crew raised more than $140,000 before the ride, which will be donated to organizations selected later.

Ms. Parker said her group started its ride May 17 in Nags Head, on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. They stopped for a workday in Hillsborough, in Orange County, where they helped frame a Habitat for Humanity house. They spent the past couple of days riding to Charlotte.

Riders typically cover 30 to 80 miles a day, according to their route-tracking map. They usually stay in churches, though on this stop the group is at the home of a Bike & Ride alumnus in Charlotte.

From here, it’s on to Asheville for another “build day” on Friday, Ms. Parker said. Their goal is to reach San Diego by July 18.

FOLLOW THE ROUTE

You can follow the route of the North Carolina Bike & Build team on the organization’s website, CLICK HERE>

Zach Jakob, Hammers supervisor for Davidson Housing Coalition, explains a ceiling repair to Bike & Build volunteers. (David Boraks photo)