WOW volunteers Dan Strayer (L) and Jeff Kern with WOW bikes in church storage area.
About seven years ago, a conversation at the Grand Marais UCC/Congo Church generated WOW, a bike loan program that has taken over the county.
Rick Schubert of Hovland and Dan Strayer, a summer resident, discussed the possibility of developing a bike loan program for Cook County international workers. At that time, a California library was lending bicycles, just like reading materials. Would that work in Cook County?
Strayer and Schubert believed they too could utilize a similar concept for loaning used bikes to international youth workers in Grand Marais. Sharing their idea with the pastor, Rev. Peter Monkres, and the Church’s Outreach Board, specific project plans were developed, and Don Davison solicited for legal advice. Over the winter months, further details were established, and the resulting project began early that coming summer.
Strayer recalls that about five bikes were loaned out that first year. As is still the practice, all units are donated by various area individuals. Each bike is checked and reconditioned before loanout, by one of the group’s 11 volunteers. The volunteers come with different repair skills. In recent years, a relationship was established with Thunder Bay’s Bikes for Humanity. This group has been able to utilize bikes needing more reconditioning than deemed appropriate for WOW’s use.
Early WOW activity concentrated on reconditioning donated bicycles and getting publicity out to the community. Posters were placed throughout the business sector, and various features prepared for WTIP and the News-Herald. It soon became a normal function for businesses to share the bicycle loan concept as a part of its work orientation. Business representatives, such as Beth Kennedy (Beth’s Fudge, et al.) and Linda Bloomquist (IGA) encouraged international students to contact WOW for their unique transportation needs. In fact, this sometimes meant time off from work and transportation to the church. Another related activity, sponsored by the Evangelical Free Church, offers a monthly fellowship meal for all international workers. WOW hopes other sponsorship activities will become a reality.
A new expansion this year has been at the county’s West End. Jerry Lilja of Lutsen serves as WOW’s area representative for that portion of the county. This check-in/ check-out location at the Lutheran Church and hillside resort businesses have filled a need for almost 20 bikes.
Every Tuesday or Thursday (2-4 p.m.), international workers visit either location, sign a release form, accept some bike guides and make a personal deposit of $40 for their summer bike usage. For this fee, they are offered free maintenance of their bike. Occasionally, a desire for a different bike is requested. Two minimal bike repair stations, provided by the hospital’s Moving Matters fund, are also available at the YMCA and Grand Marais City Hall for personal service.
Currently, upon return of the bike, the students’ $40 deposit is refunded. The UCC Church has felt this arrangement is an excellent demonstration of stewardship. This no personal cost process has also created some international worker actions. On some recent occasions, a portion of the worker’s deposit has been returned to WOW. One international student from Kosovo wrote, “I am thankful for that opportunity (bike loan). It was much easier and better for us…from a future biochemist.”
International students who come to Cook County often work more than one job. They also wish to improve their usage of the American/ English language. WOW believes they also return to their foreign home having a better understanding and appreciation for the U.S. and its culture.
This year WOW loaned out 92 bikes. Naturally, this has created a winter storage issue. For several years, Jack Stone of Stone Harbor offered free of charge storage in his warehouse. It was an impressive sight to see bicycles wedged between canoes and kayaks. Now, one of the UCC’s lower level rooms is shared with the Food Shelf and WOW. A future growth issue will be the limited bike storage space. WOW is looking for a larger facility.
Other problems WOW continues to experience are the sophisticated features of the bikes received. Derailers, shifters, brakes, etc. frequently need adjusting and reconditioning. Sometimes poor condition units are donated and thus need costly repairs. WOW has entered into a concerted effort to solicit cash donations, and better-condition donated bikes. The local bike shop serves as a good repair source, but can only offer reduced parts costs and work repair at the shop’s standard costs.
Volunteer workers of diverse skills are always sought. Most of the current volunteers have served on the committee for the entire six-plus years. The WOW’s current roster includes Mike Carlson, Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux, Steve Deschene, Jerry Hiniker, Jeff Kern, Jerry Lilja, John Mattice, Rick Schubert, Dave Steckelberg, Dan Strayer and Lynn Wright. Besides more volunteers there is also a need for monetary support and continued donations of good used bikes.
Further inquiries and suggestions can be made to the UCC/Congo Church (218- 387-2113) or by contacting Dan Strayer (Publicity) at dstrayer@suddenlink.net.
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