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Riding bikes and raising roofs
For many, biking is about exercise, fresh air, or friendly competition. For Steve O’Malley, every mile has meant something more. What began as a way to stay active after a running injury has grown into nearly three decades of turning pedals into purpose. Through the the Bike.Build.Home 500, Steve has transformed his passion for endurance sports into a powerful force for affordable housing.
A ride that became a calling
As both a rider and a member of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region's Board of Directors, Steve has devoted his energy, leadership, and heart to Habitat’s mission. His story is one of resilience, generosity, and the belief that every family deserves a safe and stable place to call home.
Steve has always been an endurance athlete. For 43 years he has chased long distances, first on foot, completing 40 marathons and more than 100 races. After injuries ended his running career in 1996, Steve turned to long-distance biking. One of his first major rides was the Twin Cities to Chicago AIDS Ride, but when the event did not continue, he began looking for a cause with lasting impact. That search led him to the Habitat 500, a mission that resonated deeply with his own story.
“I grew up in a very low-income family, and we never owned our own home,” Steve says. “We moved every year or two, never in the same community. When I looked for a cause to support, Habitat’s mission fit perfectly with my family experience and my hope for other families.”
28 years riding with a purpose
Since 1998, Steve has participated in every ride with Bike.Build.Home500, 28 consecutive years. Highlights include a a solo ride to New Orleans in 2000, raising $48k for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to build two homes in Burnsville MN. In 2002, he also raised money and obtained approvals to construct 11 homes on a single site in Burnsville, MN using his position as Deputy City Manager to clear the path.
In total over the last 28 years, Steve has raised more than $570,000 for Habitat affiliates in La Crosse, Twin Cities, and Rice County.
Pastor Kent's amazing rides
Steve is not the only one with a long history of commitment to this cause. Pastor Kent Johnson has been riding for Habitat since 1993, completing an incredible 12 rides. He has taken part in 9 Habitat 500 events, including the unforgettable journey from Minneapolis to Winnipeg, Canada. He has also joined 3 Bike.Build.Home 500 rides, and says his favorite memory was the year he had the joy of riding alongside his son.
Kent’s dedication over the decades has left a lasting impact, showing just how powerful these rides are in building both homes and community.
Long lasting impact
For Steve, the cause and the community make it hard to step away.
“Each year, I’m amazed at how many people support my ride,” he reflects. “With about 100 donors contributing year after year, it’s hard to consider stopping. I’d feel like I was letting them down.” Traditions like gifting bikes to the children of families whose homes are dedicated during the ride remind him why the effort matters.
In addition to his time on the road, Steve serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region. His dual role as both a board member and a long-time rider allows him to contribute leadership and vision while continuing to raise critical funds.
“Though I’ve been privileged to achieve success, I have the humility to understand my luck in this unfair economic system,” Steve says. “Habitat provides me with a way to serve those who need help and a way to appreciate all that I’ve been given.”
When asked about his proudest moment, Steve doesn’t point to a single ride or dollar raised. Instead, he looks at the bigger picture. “The entirety of what we’ve been able to accomplish, it’s amazing,” he says.
Habitat is grateful for both Steve’s decades of dedication, both biking and in the boardroom as well as Pastor Kent's dedication to our cause. Through their leadership, generosity, and determination, they continue to lead the way for families to achieve safe, stable housing.
Thank you Steve and Kent!
Partner Family
Stories
Darshida has been working to become a homeowner for years. She is a passionate nurse, a dedicated mother to four boys, and a longtime La Crosse resident. After years of hard work and unforeseen obstacles, Darshida and her family moved into their new home in spring 2023.