75-Year-Old Man Cycles America For Habitat For Humanity
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: August 24, 2012
One Ilion man shows the community that you're never too old to do what
you love. Eyewitness News reporter Rachel Polansky visits a 75-year old
man whose cycling across America - and he's doing it for more than just
the excercise.
Brad Haines may be 75, but it takes a lot to slow him down. He helped create the Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity 15 years ago, and since then he's been hitting the road on his bicycle to raise money for the cause.
"It's cycling, long distance cycling, all over America and I just love it," says Brad Haines, 75-year-old cyclist.
It's been 3 years since he hit the trail but on Monday...
"One more trip, I'm calling it the New England Loop," says Haines.
Brad will start his next bike ride.
"Getting to the point where the trips take me longer, not because the distance is further, but because I bike slower," says Haines.
Now Brad says his trip is more than just biking 800 miles. He says all of the money he raises will go toward the building of this brand new house.
"We built 7 houses and we're still building. I guess I just feel that we're accomplishing something and I'm having a good time doing it," says Haines.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers say Brad is a role model.
"Each year, I'm more amazed that he is still doing it. In terms of the funds raised, it's so important for us," Marion Bruins, Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity board member.
Brad has set a goal to raise $10,000 dollars and Bruins says this money will mean the world to Habitat for Humanity.
"Every penny is important but Brad's run is especially important," says Bruins.
"Some people say a little ambitious Brad, but I say hey, shoot high," says Haines.
And he's certainly shooting high. Brad will cycle through Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut. Despite his age, he says he plans to keep on cycling.
"I am going to cycle as long as my body will allow me to cycle and it may only be locally but I'll be on a bicycle," says Haines.
Brad will hit the cycling trail this Monday and he hopes to complete his trip in 3 weeks. He says all the money he raises will go toward building houses and that's 90% locally and 10% worldwide.
Haines is asking anyone who will support his trip to donate by sending a check made payable to Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity to Brad Haines, 238 Barringer Rd., Ilion, NY 13357.
Brad Haines may be 75, but it takes a lot to slow him down. He helped create the Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity 15 years ago, and since then he's been hitting the road on his bicycle to raise money for the cause.
"It's cycling, long distance cycling, all over America and I just love it," says Brad Haines, 75-year-old cyclist.
It's been 3 years since he hit the trail but on Monday...
"One more trip, I'm calling it the New England Loop," says Haines.
Brad will start his next bike ride.
"Getting to the point where the trips take me longer, not because the distance is further, but because I bike slower," says Haines.
Now Brad says his trip is more than just biking 800 miles. He says all of the money he raises will go toward the building of this brand new house.
"We built 7 houses and we're still building. I guess I just feel that we're accomplishing something and I'm having a good time doing it," says Haines.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers say Brad is a role model.
"Each year, I'm more amazed that he is still doing it. In terms of the funds raised, it's so important for us," Marion Bruins, Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity board member.
Brad has set a goal to raise $10,000 dollars and Bruins says this money will mean the world to Habitat for Humanity.
"Every penny is important but Brad's run is especially important," says Bruins.
"Some people say a little ambitious Brad, but I say hey, shoot high," says Haines.
And he's certainly shooting high. Brad will cycle through Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut. Despite his age, he says he plans to keep on cycling.
"I am going to cycle as long as my body will allow me to cycle and it may only be locally but I'll be on a bicycle," says Haines.
Brad will hit the cycling trail this Monday and he hopes to complete his trip in 3 weeks. He says all the money he raises will go toward building houses and that's 90% locally and 10% worldwide.
Haines is asking anyone who will support his trip to donate by sending a check made payable to Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity to Brad Haines, 238 Barringer Rd., Ilion, NY 13357.
