Six cities, seven days, 500 miles.

That’s what’s in store for one area college student who plans to join 134 others in an event that turns a summer hobby into a vehicle for an act of charity.

Lisa Brown, a junior at Gustavus Adolphus College, will do just that when she bikes across central Minnesota as a participant of the Sweet Sixteen Habitat 500 Bike Ride.

“It’s to raise money for Habitat for Humanity to help lower-income families escape poverty for home ownership,” Brown said.

Brown will be riding her bike 500 miles in seven days July 13-19 beginning in Monticello with stops in five other Minnesota cities, including Hutchinson, New London, Little Falls, Onamia and Foley.

Brown, originally of Lake Crystal, first decided to ride in the Habitat 500 after someone from her hometown participated. She had worked on building projects with Habitat in the past and wanted to get more involved.

The 1,600th Habitat home in Minnesota will go up during this year’s ride, according to Julie Schmillen, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota.

For complete story, see the Tuesday, May 27, 2008 print edition of The Free Press or sign onto our e-edition.

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