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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2021)
6A | WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS One solution for oxygen at home, away, and for travel Introducing the INOGEN ONE – It’s oxygen therapy on your terms No more tanks to refi ll. No more deliveries. No more hassles with travel. The INOGEN ONE portable oxygen concentrator is designed to provide unparalleled freedom for oxygen therapy users. It’s small, lightweight, clinically proven for stationary and portable use, during the day and at night, and can go virtually anywhere — even on most airlines. Inogen accepts Medicare and many private insurances! Reclaim Your Freedom And Independence NOW! Call Inogen Today To Request Your FREE Info Kit 1-855-839-0752 © 2020 Inogen, Inc. All rights reserved. MKT-P0108 Let me Showcase your property. New Listing Tim Sapp Owner / Principal Broker 541 999-8230 West Coast riders for the Fuller Center Bike Adventure passed through Florence last week on part of their 1,600-mile journey. BIKE from page 1A on July 10, all the way down to San Diego, Calif., where they will arrive on Aug. 8. On day six of their tour, July 15, the riders arrived in Florence by way of New- port, and were hosted by the Presbyterian Church on Highway 101 overnight. “We’ve been supporting the Fuller Center for a cou- ple of years,” said Pastor Greg Wood. “They come through literally every year, and they have another group coming through in August, the Florida-to-Flor- ence group.” The cross-country ride, which is 10 weeks long, be- gan in Amelia Island, Flor- ida, in May, and ends here in Florence, also on Aug. 8. The West Coast ride by comparison is roughly four weeks long, and riders travel an average of 70 miles per day for a total of 1,600 miles. “They reached out to us, and just being part of the community, we said, ‘Sure, come and stay,’” said Wood. “Coastal Fitness also let them come in for showers, so it’s not just us, it’s a com- munity experience.” Communities like Flor- ence are what have helped the Fuller Center Bike Ad- venture be successful since its beginning. Gary Schroeder, a rider from California, has been on nine rides so far with the Fuller Center. “It’s a fundraising bike ride, and it’s a major fund- raiser for the Fuller Center,” he said. “Each rider has an amount of donations de- pending on the length of the ride — not everybody rides the whole way, you can pop in for a week or two weeks, so you’re not required to do the whole thing. And the length of your ride deter- mines the funds that you raise.” The riders pay a registra- tion fee to cover incidentals, some meals and the gas for the support vehicle. “The money we raise can all go directly to poverty housing,” said Schroeder. According to rider Alice Myk of Illinois, who is in her fourth year as a volun- teer and rider with the Full- er Center, “Ninety-seven percent of our funds that we raise, our donations we col- lect, go back into the pool to help the housing.” “And normally, we build along the way,” continued rider Susan Pratt, who has been on 13 rides with the Fuller Center as a volunteer. “Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, we’re not building, but what I find fascinating is you get riders from all over the country. Some of them have been from Romania and Austra- lia, and we’re strangers the first day we meet, and by the first week, you know every- body. “It’s a fantastic opportu- nity. And because we sleep on the floors at churches, we meet the community as well. This year is not so much be- cause of the pandemic — usually we try to present in front of the community. But at least we’re meeting the pastor, the people, whatever it might be.” By partnering with churches in the communi- ties they ride through and build for, the Fuller Center riders can put the money they would normally put toward a cross-country trip into donations used to build homes for impoverished families. “I think of the approxi- mately 20 churches we have on this trip, 16 of them are the same ones that we used previously,” said Schroeder. “And it is really fun, I think they get a lot out of it by be- ing part of the mission as well.” “Simply opening up their buildings to us to allow us to sleep on their floors and use their facility is a big part of this whole thing,” Myk con- tinued. Scott Baker of Connecti- cut, who is on his sixth ride with the Fuller Center said, “It helps their community, and it helps our communi- ty.” The group also noted the generosity of people they meet along the way through- out their trips, with even unhoused people or oth- ers who have only change to spare willingly donating to the cause upon hearing what the Fuller Center Bike Adventure funds. “Three years ago, going across the country, we were climbing over the peaks of one of the passes,” said Myk. “It was a struggle, it was snowing and raining, and we were all cold. Our rest stop was at the top, and when we got up there, somebody had actually gone down and brought coffee back up to our rest stop for us. We were just so thankful of kind, generous people. Coming from the outskirts of Chicago, sometimes you think everything’s rough and tough, and you realize the hospitality and the love out there is so grand.” For Schroeder, “I think [other people along the way] like being a part of it the same way the churches do. They feel like if they can help us help somebody, then they’re indirectly helping, and it’s very reassuring to find out that the world isn’t all full of cynics. There are people out there who really care and step up when they don’t have to, and it’s fun be- ing a part of that.” Indeed, the Fuller Center is an organization who takes caring to the next level. For more information, visit www.fullercenter- bikeadventure.org/. Editor’s Note: Read more about the Fuller Center Bike Adventures in the next edi- tion of the Siuslaw News. 5208 Dunewood Dr – This upscale one-sto- ry, 3055 sqft home was built in 2018 on the largest lot in The Reserve at Heceta Lake. The property is wooded and has wetlands and seasonal ponds on 6.54 acres. The home sits at the end of a 400+ foot private, paved drive- way. Virtual showings only. $896,500. #3229- 21130566 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 FEATURED PROPERTY OF THE WEEK 3561 JAKE MANN LANE Nice views of the ocean, river, Old Town District & golf course. Watch fireworks from your back deck. One owner custom built 2007 home. Open floorplan w/vaulted ceilings, skylights. Great room, fireplace, hickory flooring. Gourmet kitchen: gas stovetop, dbl ovens, Corian counters. Master suite: Lg view window, vaulted ceiling, jetted tub & walk-in shower with private deck access. Additional upper suite. Lower level has a media rm, bedroom, full bath. Oversized 4 car garage. Don’t miss this one! $689,000 #12184 MLS#21235686 “We’re next to the Bridge” 100 Hwy. 101 See all Florence Listings at cbcoast.com COAST REAL ESTATE 541-997-7777 DIVERSIFIED Equipment Sales RV SALES & CONSIGNMENT TRAILER SALES & SERVICE AUTO DETAILING • AUTO ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT RENTALS METAL STORAGE BUILDINGS • WOODEN SHEDS BOATS, RV’S AND MOTORHOME DETAILING Veteran Owned & Operated 2350 Hwy. 101, Florence • 541-997-4505 Support and Encourage Youth Artists Drive Home a Deal Art Classes 2020 Scholarship Award Celebrations Art Festivals Great Prices Good Selection of USED CARS! We understand that Covid 19 has caused hardships to many. We are here to help you! Good credit, bad credit or anything in-between, Open Studio WE CAN HELP! We offer PRIVATE FINANCING to Florence Residents Call or come by and see how we can help fi nance your next car! Gallery *We also fi nance metal and wooden storage building* DIVERSIFIED AUTO SALES Poetry Open Mic Poetry Slam Our mission is to unify and support all the arts, enrich cultural life and stimulate economic vitality in Florence. Community Support, Giving Tree Jim & Bonnie Johnston, Owners 2350 Hwy. 101, Florence • 541-997-4505
