Coming in June: Bike & Hike and Car Show
This year, Morris Habitat for Humanity will host its biggest annual fundraiser, the Bike & Hike, in conjunction with a Car Show organized by its Youth United group. Both events are slated for Saturday, June 2. The Car Show venue is 475 South Street, Morristown, while the Bike & Hike takes place at a new location across South Street at Loantaka Park. The Car Show has a rain date of Saturday, June 9, but the Bike & Hike occurs rain or shine. Currently, main sponsors for the events are The Provident Bank, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Valley National Bank and Wyeth.
9th Annual Historic Morris Bike & Hike
This year’s participants will have a chance to enjoy the beauty of Loantaka Park in Morristown and other scenic parts of Morris and Somerset counties. They can proceed on one of five riding/walking options: the family 2-mile ride, the short 10-mile loop, the scenic 20-mile ride, a challenging 35-mile ride, or a stimulating 5-mile hike through Loantaka Park. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the park pavilion, with the first ride beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Barbara Prag, a seasoned Habitat volunteer, is the chair of this year’s event. Says Barbara, “Most of our team captains handling publicity, logistics, entertainment, route planning, etc., have worked on the event before and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. It’s a great group of volunteers!”
One of the primary goals this year is to increase participants to 500. Organizers are optimistic about achieving this with support from the Morris Area Freewheelers, a volunteer bicycle club dedicated to all aspects of road cycling. Apart from helping with planning, the club has also been exhorting its members to participate in the event.
Proceeds from the Bike & Hike will be used towards the five homes that Morris Habitat proposes to build in 2007.
All in all, the Bike & Hike promises to be a great event for families and individuals, with post-ride attractions featuring food, massages, children’s activities, and a demonstration of superhuman strength by strongman Pat “Human Vise” Povilaitis.
Morris Habitat for Humanity’s Car Show Benefiting Youth United’s Build
Join fellow car enthusiasts and admirers on Saturday, June 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., for our 2nd annual Car Show at 475 South Street, Morristown. The show enables Morris County’s youth, age 5 to 25, to advocate the need for affordable housing in a unique way and setting. The educational and fun-filled atmosphere will form the backdrop for cars of all types (hot rod, antique, muscle, etc.), live music, food, various types of vendors and a 50/50 raffle.
Morris Youth United is a youth-led, adult-supervised Habitat program founded in the spring of 2004. Funds derived from the Car Show will help renovate a duplex in Morristown to give two families the opportunity to become homeowners. The Hazel Street project is the first all-Youth Build at Morris Habitat.