Fundraiser takes on a whole different “spin” by Lorraine Glowczak

What began as a personal bucket list to pedal a bike across the U.S. morphed into biking for a cause with The Fuller Center for Housing. William Turner, who attends Faith Lutheran Church in Windham, will embark on a 1700-mile cycling adventure from San Francisco, CA to Santa Fe, NM, to raise funds for the construction of replacement homes for a family in Haiti. Turner’s month long biking excursion will begin on June 2, 2017 
 

What’s different about this fundraising effort is that it comes with a surprising and motivating curveball. 

Turner’s original goal was to raise enough funds to fund one home. However, two months after sending out an email to every contact he had on his mailing list, to invite people to give a donation; the amount raised was very close to the $6,000 goal. This generous response clearly indicated that the amount needed for the construction of one home would be achieved. 

It was at this point that a friend made a dare. “Go for two homes,” the close friend said. Turner accepted the challenge and is now trying to raise funds for two homes instead of one.

“We have raised just over $7,400 with only $3,600 to go in order to fund two homes,” Turner exclaimed. “We even have a pledge for a donation of $500 if we make it to $10,000.”

After considerable research and long discussions with his wife, Lily, Turner chose The Fuller Center for Housing to bike for a cause. “One hundred percent of the funds donated to the organization for this cause are used for the intended purpose,” Turner explained.

The Fuller Center for Housing is a 501(c3) non-profit organization based out of Americus, GA. Its mission is to “promote collaborative and innovative partnerships with individuals and organizations in an unrelenting quest to provide adequate shelter for all people in need worldwide.” www.fullercenter.org/

Although a Christian based organization, The Fuller Center for Housing accepts any volunteer from any background or faith who wishes to promote dignity for others by helping them own a home. The organization serves people of all faiths including those who are Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. Per the website, “We believe Jesus would not want us to place religious requirements on beneficiaries, so we don’t.”

It is Turner’s intention to continue raising funds until he meets the magnified goal. However, he hopes most of his donations arrive within the next week. “The week of March 27 to March 31 would be a great time to make a donation of $25 or more,” Turner began. “An offer of $1,000 to The Fuller Center will be contributed to the athlete who raises the most amount of $25 or greater donations during that five day stretch.”

As for his personal goal of a cross country peddling excursion? “I want to see how well I do with the 1700 miles first,” Turner explained. If all goes well, he will soon check that goal off his bucket list.

Those who may be interested in donating to Turner’s fundraising effort may do so by visiting his web page at: www.fullercenter.donorpages.com/BikeAdventure/WilliamTurner. Or one can send a check to: The Fuller Center for Housing, Attention Bike Adventure, 701 S. MLK Jr. Blvd, Americus, GA 31709, placing FCBA: Bill Turner in the memo line.

For more information, visit www.fullercenter.org