Bike Project
From our Bike Project coordinator, Gordon Doak:
For several years, I have been volunteering for the First United Methodist Church's Bike Project. It's a ministry which finds salvaged or donated bikes and refurbishes them, then makes the bikes available to whomever applies for them. When we give out a bike we make sure the brakes work, the tires are road worthy, the tubes hold air pressure, and the derailleur shifts into gears. In past years, we have had the privilege of giving out bikes to customers of the food pantry.
- In 2005, 5 bikes were given out
- In 2006, 7 bikes were given out
- In 2007, 14 bikes were given out
- In 2008, 37 bikes were given out
- In 2009, 27 bikes were given out
So far in 2010, 25 bikes were given out. This brings the total of bikes given out by this ministry in 6 years to 115 bikes. We say we ask for donations for bikes, but really we almost never do. I figure most folks visiting the food pantry don't have a lot of extra resources and it's a way we can serve our community by putting a child or an adult on a bike. Some of the bikes given out are their only source of transportation.
This year I have tried to be more helpful in the transport of bikes to people who have requested them. Early in the year I gave out a bike to a lady who requested one to use as a trainer to rehabilitate her knee. I helped set up the bike with the trainer and she was all set. I have been able to deliver bikes to several neighborhoods in North Liberty. Where ever I went, if a child was a recipient, the smiles were the same.
One thing I enjoy about volunteering for this ministry is the sense of accomplishment, turning something that is broken into something that is useful. By working on bikes, and offering to deliver them, I feel that this is one small way I can demonstrate my faith by reaching out and helping people in our community.
To find out more about this ministry, please contact Gordon Doak at 626-6834.