Steve Klassen, right, a representative from Thunder Bay’s Bikes for Humanity program, with one of the international workers who benefitted from this summer’s efforts. Each year a representative from Canada makes a trip to Grand Marais to pick up unused bikes not suitable for repair by the local Workers on Wheels volunteers. The Canadian participants make further repairs, and each year send two containers stuffed with bikes to South Africa for reconditioning (if needed) and loan.
Workers on Wheels, the Congo/UCC’s bike loan program, has recently concluded this year’s summer season.
Since it started six years ago, the bike loan project has grown from about five bikes to almost 60 loaned this year as the community continues to donate its unused bikes to the program. In addition, a satellite loan location, managed by Jerry Lilja, has been set up for West End usage, and several business locations have taken advantage of its nearby activity source.
The loan program, conducted for college-age, international workers, continues to urge local residents to contribute their unused bikes for future reconditioning for its 2017 season.
A storage facility will soon be constructed in a basement room of the Congregational Church, and thus bike reconditioning can continue through the winter. Anyone wishing to contribute a good condition bike is requested to contact the church at (218) 387-2113. Also, many times, reconditioning repairs require the purchase of new parts. Financial contributions will help offset these expenses.
Stefanie Mitchell has been hired as a part-time repair person, and is being trained and paid with grant funds from Moving Matters and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Maren Webb has served as the grant source and coordinator of these funds. However, the continued costs of parts for bike repair create a regular need for additional financial support.
Leave a Reply