Bike and Build Through Effingham

In the midst of all of the bicycle riders heading east through Effingham as part of this year's Ride Across America comes word of some other cyclists headed west.

A group of young people participating in a program called "Bike and Build" spent the night here Monday night. "Bike and Build" is a program overseen by Habitat for Humanity, the worldwide organization working to provide decent affordable housing.

Effingham County Habitat for Humanity Chairman Larry Lappin said that, in "Bike and Build", participants pay $4,000 "for the opportunity to ride". Lappin said participants ride for a period of time and then stop to do service projects along the way. The service projects can involve a variety of construction work.

This is the sixth straight year that the Effingham County Habitat chapter has hosted "Bike and Build" participants. Lappin said six groups participate each year involving about 30 young people.

Another group will be through over the 4th of July holiday, speaking on Saturday night, July 5, at Centenary United Methodist Church in Effingham, but Lappin said various churches in town have hosted the riders through the years.