Bicycle Blessings

Did you know?

• $25 will buy two garage sale bikes.
• $50 will buy two bikes, helmets and locks.
• $100 will buy six to eight bikes at a garage sale.
• Tax vouchers are available for all donations (through First United Methodist Church of Winter Park).
• Teens can receive community service credit by working.
• You will find true joy in serving in this ministry.
• With one person at a time, we can make one bike at a time ready for one child at a time!

On Pentecost Sunday 2009, the clergy surprised the First United Methodist Church of Winter Park congregation with $25 cash in an envelope and a note requesting that the money be used creatively and wisely to make a difference in someone’s life. The congregation was told that they could add to the dollar amount if they wanted and asked to report back to the church how the money was used. After much prayer and a lot of brainstorming, Bicycle Blessings was born. It will be a ministry of service to children and adults who need bicycles for recreation, exercise or transportation.

The idea is to collect slightly-worn bicycles and recycle them, “re-cyc-a-bike.”  Volunteers will procure, clean-up, refurbish, and distribute the bikes. All the donated bikes will be painted and shined; the tires will be filled or replaced; gears and brakes will be checked and repaired. Each two-wheel bike for children age five and older will be equipped with a helmet and a lock and will be tagged with a note saying that the bike has been safety checked, is ready for use, and is given by loving friends who pray for blessings on the new bike owner.

Where will the re-furbished bikes go?

• The bikes will be distributed through organizations such as the Hope Team, the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, Covenant House and Coalition for the Homeless.
• Counselors in schools throughout the county will be asked to find children and families who are in need.
• A bike will be given to anyone in need.

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Here are a few ideas; perhaps you will have a few more. (See Ideas)

• Donate a bike that is parked in your garage and taking up space.
• Ask a neighbor or a friend to donate a bike.
• Shop garage sales on Saturday mornings and buy slightly used bikes (be sure to ask for discounts or donations).
• Join the "clean-up and refurbish" team to work on bikes on specified days.
• Store bikes until work days or help transport bikes.
• Purchase tools and supplies needed for refurbishing.
• Put posters and flyers around your neighborhood.
• Talk to bike shops and ask for help procuring bikes from their customers.
• Be a part of the communication team to organize work days and procure bikes.
• Write a check to help cover the cost of helmets and locks.
• Supervise teens when they work on the bicycles at church work days.
• Tell people about this ministry and enlist their support.
• Use your cargo truck or trailer to help us move bikes from one location to another.
• Get your whole family involved – clean-up and refurbish a bike in your own garage, take a photo of the family with the bike, and deliver it to the church on collection days.

Co-Chairs for Bicycle Blessings are:

• Jack and Janet Hays
• Brian and Amber Woodard
• Jon and Tricia Rowe

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