Swim coach spending her summer biking and building for charity

Publication Date

By: Maura Driscoll '15

Assistant swim coach Michelle Patrick will be participating in a 4,713-mile and 76-day journey from Providence, R.I. to San Francisco, Calif. to raise money for affordable housing organizations nationwide.

Patrick will join Bike & Build, a non-profit organization where bikers travel across country, stopping along the route to help build homes with other organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together.

“While this summer will undoubtedly be an adventure, I am more inspired by knowing that our trip will provide homes for those in need,” said Patrick, who will start June 9.

The group has been around since 2003, and has raised over $4.5 million toward affordable housing efforts.

Riders in the P2C route sleep in churches, community centers and schools during their journey and utilize the locals’ generosity for food and necessities.

Each participating cyclist must raise $4,500 for the cause, and the majority of the money is donated to other charitable organizations that support affordable housing. Last year, the trip was able to donate $58,939, but Bike & Build is working to surpass that this year.