Mark Kohler Makes a Difference Through the Power of One

Meet Mark Kohler. He’s got a sweet set of wheels — or make that wheel.

Kohler is a board member of , a nonprofit improving the lives of some of the city’s less fortunate residents by working to physically improve their homes.

Kohler, an architect and builder on most days, rolled into last week on his 36-inch wheel unicycle after traveling up from the Dulles, Va., area on the Washington and Old Dominion trail to raise money for the Princess Street nonprofit.

He was accompanied by bicyclist Wade Greene, who offered moral support as well as the task of biking ahead to ensure intersections were clear so Kohler wouldn’t have to dismount constantly.

Kohler raised more than $5,000 for Rebuilding Alexandria – some donors paid him for each mile he unicycled with others gave him a flat fee. He sought to raise $2,500. When he arrived in Founder's Park, he had cycled 33 miles that day.

“I was trying to combine my hobby with charity,” he told Patch after he crossed a makeshift finish line.

Kohler has been a “house captain” for the nonprofit, organizing and helping complete renovations on homes in desperate need of repair.

“It’s been amazing helping others – so rewarding,” he said.

Kohler recalled one recent project repairing a home near that did not have a kitchen. “The only thing that was working in the house was the toilet and the place was chest-high in papers.”

Subcontractors donated kitchen countertops, drywall and other construction pieces to help the homeowner live in a decent condition.

“I saw the owner a few months later – there was color in his face again. He looked so much better and was so grateful,” Kohler said.

Last year, he helped build a handicap ramp for a house where a 98-year-old woman was taking care of her 78-year-old daughter.

Kohler’s face brightens even more when he talks about how proud he is of his own 18-year-old daughter who recently renovated a house with 14 other volunteers in Blacksburg, Va.

"I hope it becomes a family tradition," he said with a smile.