One of the most exciting things I’ve heard this year is happening in Gilroy this week. Originally planned as a donation drive to collect gently used bicycles this Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Spokes4Folks found that the response to the idea of donating bikes to give to folks in need of transportation picked up speed quickly. In light of such a tremendous outpouring of compassion, the volunteer group has had to start giving away bikes earlier than planned. What a good problem to have!
The original goal of the group seemed daunting: to raise $5,000 to buy parts, locks and helmets, as well as some new bikes, and to convince people to donate 100 bikes.
But because the response has been so great, they have already raised close to $5,000, and more than 100 bikes have been donated before the main event even takes place!
One family who needs a bike has a child in treatment for cancer, and the bike will allow mobility for one of the siblings to get around when the parents are occupied for many hours at the hospital. A foster child whose family can’t afford to buy him a bike will now have one for the first time.
Jessica Short first brought this inspiring endeavor to my attention. Short is a member of the Leadership Gilroy Program, class of 2014, a public benefit, nonprofit program that helps equip and develop quality leadership in our community. When the class conceived of a project for taking that unused bike collecting dust in your garage, refurbishing it and getting it into the hands of someone who truly needs it, little did they realize the incredible response they would inspire from the Gilroy community.
“It was a huge hit immediately,” Vicky Martin said, one of the 17 members of Leadership Gilroy.
She explained that after an intense discussion at an overnight retreat about what our community most needs, they had identified a need in Gilroy for simple transportation to jobs and schools for people who were not able to buy new bikes themselves, as well as children whose families cannot afford bikes.
“There was no good avenue for disposing of used bikes,” Martin said. “We wanted to connect the bikes with those in need.”
The group became super excited about the idea and named their endeavor “Spokes 4 Folks” and quickly created a flyer which they plastered on storefronts all over Gilroy; they did mass e-mails to their families and friends; they did a district-wide call; they created a Facebook page and a website.
The Gilroy firefighters got really excited when they heard the idea and volunteered to repair the donated bikes for free. The Gilroy Police Department volunteered to provide help with safety for the donated bikes.
City Style Cruizerz (Gilroy’s nonprofit, family-oriented bike organization) did the same. Gilroy’s Shifty Mobile Bicycle Mechanic wanted in on the action and volunteered as well. Sunshine Bicycles will donate all the parts for free. They will all set up repair booths at the bike donation event this Saturday. Stubby’s Sports Bar & Grill, Victoria’s Mexican Restaurant, and Westside Grill held fundraisers. Others donated bikes, so many that now they are arriving on a daily basis. This presented a storage problem, until LJB Farms stepped up and said they could help find storage.
“It’s unbelievable how much support the community has given,” Short said.
Now that the word of this project has spread, the San Jose Firefighters have just contacted Spokes4Folks to express their interest in helping.
On Tuesday, bikes were presented to people at the Gilroy Compassion Center and at Community Solutions.
“This serves people in a way that fills a different niche,” Vicky Martin explained. “People need encouragement when they take a step to curb bad habits they’ve developed; if we can assist them at that pivotal moment with something like a bike to ride to work, they become stronger, and it encourages them to keep going forward to improve their lives further.
Leadership Gilroy 2014 is working together as a very diverse group to learn more about our community in every way–including government, politics, demographics, safety and communications–in order to become more connected in understanding and knowing more about this community.
At this Saturday’s Bicycle Donation Drive at the Gilroy Center for the Arts at 7341 Monterey St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Spokes 4 Folks will feature raffles for five new adult and youth bicycles, as well as gift baskets and other great items being raffled off every hour. Kona Ice and other vendors, including Waffle Amore, will provide snacks.
Come see the vertical ramp BMX demonstration and drop off your gently used bike. Bike repairs will be done on the spot for the donated bikes.
To learn more about Spokes4Folks, go to:
youtube.com/watch?v=LAy4VC7Huhk&feature=youtu.be
spokesforfolks.org/
facebook.com/spokes4folks
What type of bikes can be donated?
Any kind of bicycle from children’s size up to adult. Any style of bicycle will be taken as well, preferably donations of durable, quality bikes that can be set up for commuters. This includes rigid/hard tail mountain bikes, quality road bikes and children’s bicycles.
Can we donate other bike accessories?
Yes. You can donate usable bicycle accessories including helmets, pumps, locks, gloves, chains, etc. We are also accepting usable bicycle spare parts and components including tubes, tires, wheels, chains, pedals, etc.
What condition can the bikes be in?
Ideally, the bike you donate only needs minor repairs (chain, new tubes, etc.) or a basic tune up. However, we will take any condition bicycle, but please don’t bring us your trash. Remember, these bikes will end up under a smiling person who wants a safe, usable bike.
What kind of helmets can be donated?
We take all kinds of quality bicycle helmets for all ages. Helmets need to be new and not worn previously. However, they do not need to be in original packaging.
