OT:Bike's for Kids!! Thanks NWKite!! You Rock

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts I give out bad advice.

Thanks to your donations Bike riding is now an expected activity all of my student's lives, the love it! Today I took 3 kids down the Indian Creek trail and it was really great to see em have fun. They all wore donated helmets, vests, and rode really nice donated bikes. Nice!!

Now here is the real reason I'm posting,

There is this kid in the Program, let's call him John Doe. Now, John Doe has a tough life, and when I say tough I mean really tough. Let's just say that it's a miracle he is in school at all. You would not even believe some of the stuff this kid has been through. He's lived more in his 15 years than anybody I've taught in the past 20 years.

This kid was failing every class and falling into a predictable cycle of not so wonderful consequences. He was unable to contain his anger and that led to some problems. So, I bribed him with a bike, I said, "Hey Dude, if you get it together I'll give you this bike." He was like, "Coop your full of @#$%!." I was all like, "no really, I'll give it to you to keep!"

So, there were some other factors, like his improving behavior, his working a volunteer job, and some other stuff, but the fact is that the bike was something he wanted and subsequently earned.

I've attached a pic of him holding the bike, identity hidden. The letter was amazing and blew all of the staff away. He rides the bike all over town and I gave him a lock to keep it secure.

Here is the text of the handwritten letter,

Dear Bike donor,
My name is ____________ and I received the bike you donated to the program. It is a great help to me with getting to school, getting to meetings, and all aspects of my daily life since my family doesn't have a vehicle. So, I thank you for your charitable donation.
Sincerely, ______________

Thanks so very much for believing in this program!! All of your donations are making a huge difference in the lives of all student's who are in the school.

Surprised

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pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Mar 04, 10 5:33 pm

Awww, I was really hoping he was going to be holding the hot pink bike I donated. Good program for sure, it can be easy to correct all the messed up stuff that some kids are subjected too.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts I give out bad advice.

Your bike is next!

retz · Since 06 Aug 2007 132 Posts west linn Stoked

bulae.

can you refresh us all on your bike program?
is there still a need?

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts I give out bad advice.

A while back I made a request on the forum to get your good old mountain bikes. The idea was to get the kids on bikes and riding in their home city, Da Hood. Of the 12 student's who are from here only one kid had ridden Post Canyon!! Wow.
Now all 12 have done it more than once and are asking me to do it again.

We have received 8 donated bikes and cannibalized 4 to get 4 working. So, 4 bikes are good to ride and get ridden sometimes daily in the spring and fall.

Of the bikes, 2 have been earned by students thus far. If we get more donations we will be able to give more bikes to kids. If you have any questions give me an email or a pm.

We do have need for used or new:
1. Chains, Shimano and SRAM
2. Shifters, shimano, or SRAM
3. Brakes
4. Seats and posts
5. tubes, treads
6. Helmets
7. Bright Vests!
8. Camel Backs
9. Multi Tools
10. Odometers

We need a build kit for a frame. I have a couple of descent shocks: my rebuild fox vanilla, and an old Judy, but we need some medium frames and a couple of descent build kits. If you have any old shifters, cranks with front and back derailleurs we'll take em if there in working condition.

Thanks very much for your support!! Very Happy

rcooper@hoodriver.k12.or.us

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Mar 05, 10 12:16 pm

have you ever raided the back room at city bikes on 20th and ankeny? They have boxes and boxes of cheap parts. I may have a seat post or two laying around.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts I give out bad advice.

If you have complete or partial shifters, either shimano or SRAM and you want to donate them please contact me.

We have a frame with Crank, and rims, but no brakes or shifters.

Oh yea, Brakes too!

If you donate we will wash your Car!!

Thanks
Ron Very Happy

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Mar 09, 10 10:59 am

I just replaced the v-brakes on my wife's bike so I have a fairly new set of tektro v brakes and levers...well one pair anyways. My car is uber dirty Smile

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 283 Posts Obsessed

I have an older ('99 I think) Diamond Back v6 full suspension. It could use a new rear shifter. Deore xt or lx I think. Front shock (marzzochi) and brake (mechanical disk) are much newer. I am in NOPO but I come out to H.R. pretty often. Well... when it's windy. My truck could definitely use a wash. P.M. if your interested. By the way, good on you for helping these kids out.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts I give out bad advice.

That would be a nice addition to the herd!!

If you come down on a weekend I can make arrangements to wash your truck. A couple of the kids live close to school.

I'm so lucky to be able to teach kids. I feel fortunate to have the privilege of working with them. Working in HR is a dream job!!

Thanks,
Ron