Another Nice Story

This is from my friend, Naina Williams.

Many of us have things we say we would like to accomplish in our lifetime, but how many of us actually do them? This June, one of our esteemed board members, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Fritz of the Federated Church, will embark upon the journey of his lifetime! Jerry plans to cycle approximately 1,650 miles to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard (HFHMV)!

With his jovial laugh and an effervescent personality; it is hard to not be smitten with him and succumb to his passion for whatever cause he is embracing because his sincerity and enthusiasm are infectious. As a matter of fact, during the interview for this article, almost everyone in the coffee shop we met at seemed to know Jerry and approached our table to greet him. One person actually probed him as to what he was doing and Jerry’s eyes lit up as he devotedly spoke of his upcoming trip. Prior to any promotional material being written or final plans being made, a check for $500.00 was written to HFHMV in support of what we have dubbed “Jerry’s Journey for Habitat”!

For those who do not know Jerry, bicycling has been a passion of his for more than twenty years. To quote Jerry, "For me, biking has always been more than just a means of transportation or a way to keep physically fit; it is a spiritual experience.”

Habitat for Humanity and particularly the local affiliate have also been a passion of Jerry’s for many years. “I believe in Habitat’s mission as it strives to eliminate substandard housing on Martha’s Vineyard and around the world, and in the process, build stronger families and a strong community.”

On June 5th, Jerry will leave the Island and fly to his hometown of Fremont,Nebraska, from where he will begin his ride across the country back to the Vineyard. He plans to ride for approximately 75 miles each day and hopes to stop at local Habitat affiliates along the way. During these sojourns, Jerry hopes to meet with and talk to Habitat homeowners and ask each of them what their living conditions were like prior to Habitat’s intervention and how owning a Habitat house has changed their life. His ultimate goal is to inform people through a future edition of Habitat Headlines and other publications on how people are living in our country and how Habitat can make a difference in their lives!

Jerry cares about so many different things and, being the true giver he is, has been involved with many charitable causes on the Island. Recently, he found himself resigning from several boards in order to focus his energy and be fully committed to Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard. He has been involved with the organization since 1990 in both Ohio and in Maine and has been involved with the local affiliate since his arrival here in 1999.

As the chair of our Family Selection Committee, Jerry and his committee members have the difficult task of sifting through the many applications received for consideration of a Habitat house. “It hurts to read about and ultimately see the conditions some of these families live in right here in this place of such beauty and opulence,” said Jerry with a frown upon his face. He continued, "All they want is a chance to have a place of their own!”

Jerry will not make this long trip alone! Fellow Vineyarder and friend, Chuck Hughes, intends to also ride for his favorite Island cause, the YMCA. Chuck will begin his journey in Minnesota and the two plan to meet up in Clinton, Iowa, to continue their ride back to Martha’s Vineyard together. Others have said they will ride a day or longer along the way, but the monumental feat of cycling over 1,600 miles will be undertaken by these two 63-year old gentlemen who serve as an inspiration to all of us!

“I ask that you find it in your heart to support me as I merge my passions of bike riding and HFHMV. As I trek from Nebraska to the Vineyard on my bike, I will be significantly more inspired to meet the rigors of this trip knowing that together we will be assisting Habitat to help our Island neighbors in need of simple, decent, affordable housing! The work that they do speaks for itself and the families they have helped speak volumes. But the reality is that they cannot do the good work they do without the financial support from good people like you!”

Jerry’s trip has been fully paid for by one of his parishioners, so all money coming in goes directly to HFHMV. If you would like to lend your support to “Jerry’s Journey”, please complete the following form and send it in along with your contribution to Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard today!

Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard can be reached at 508-696-4646 or www.habitatmv.org.