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PORTOLA VALLEY Calif April 14 PRNewswire-USNewswire - Cycling enthusiasts have dubbed Race Across America RAAM the worlds toughest bike race That moniker doesnt scare the four-person team of everyday folks from Valley Presbyterian Church VPC now called Team H4 or Holy Rollers Hammering for Habitat Homes In fact Team H4 hopes the drama generated by the coast-to-coast race on June 11-20 and their own relative inexperience in the event will draw attention to a cause they believe in Peninsula Habitat for Humanity a local non-profit organization that builds affordable ownership homes for low-income families The ultra-distance riders want their endurance efforts to raise 50000 for Peninsula Habitat The plan may seem like an insurmountable challenge but then securing affordable housing seems impossible to those who need it mostWe are thrilled that Valley Presbyterian Church and the VPC bike team are supporting Peninsula Habitat in this awesome fundraising effort said Barbara Evans Director of Development at Peninsula Habitat We are grateful for all the hard work and dedication going into the race on behalf of so many deserving families in the community To make a financial gift to the cause visit the Peninsula Habitat website at and select the VPC Race Across America program from the online giving pageRAAMs 3000-mile route begins in Oceanside CA and concludes in Annapolis MD Unlike a stage race riders pedal twenty-four hours a day in a relay format that keeps one team member on the road while the others rest To prepare for this grueling competition the team has scheduled a three-day practice on May 16-18 starting from Peninsula Habitats current construction site on Lincoln Avenue in Redwood City Team H4 riders include Rafael Ornes Joel Phillips Sally Phillips and Michelle Santilhano Sally and Joel have been VPC members since 2001 Raf is the churchs Minister of Music while Michelle is a member of Menlo Park Presbyterian None is a professional cyclist While the four riders consider themselves endurance cyclists with a thirst for something new and crazy they are drawing motivation for their unparalleled training and participation not from visions of glory in the winners circle but from the ideal of more new Peninsula Habitat homes on the PeninsulaTo compete in such a constant and complex competition requires a hardy and organized support crew which currently consists of Stanford student Mary Elting and husband Matthew and VPC members Anne Hubble Cathy Paniagua Wedding Coordinator and Karen Russell Associate for Church Programs Its not every day that you have a chance to put your faith into action in such an extreme way commented VPC Pastor Mark Goodman-Morris who will also participate as part of the support crewPeninsula Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International that partners with families in need along with community volunteers and donors to build affordable homes on the Peninsula Peninsula Habitat homes allow families working in service manufacturing retail and other sectors to own decent safe permanent homes near their jobs With only 19 percent of households able to afford an entry-level home San Mateo County is one of the least affordable counties in California and scored well below the overall US affordability rate of 65 percent The median price of a first-time home is 790500 and requires a minimum qualifying income of 158100 In 18 years Peninsula Habitat has built more than 110 homes throughout San Mateo CountyFour church members on bikes leave one coast on an arduous journey to the opposite side of this enormous country The ultra marathon will test them physically and spiritually and serve as a two-wheeled vehicle for generating fundraising and awareness for Peninsula Habitat To these RAAM novices and committed missionaries nine days and thousands of miles feels like a small price to pay especially compared to the high price of housing beyond the reach of hard-working families in the communityFor more information and photos please visit the Team H4 biking website and blog at For more information about the whole race please visit the RAAM website at Source California Association of Realtors Media Contact Kelly Brieger 650-704-1748 Team H4 Coordinator Contact Karen Russell 650-851-8282 ext 104 Peninsula Habitat for Humanity Contacts Barbara Evans 650-568-7331 Jennifer Doettling Communications Director 650-568-7335 Valley Presbyterian Church