Volunteers Flip Bikes For Kids’ Holiday Gifts
Sharing Wheels is a “secret weapon” resource for city cyclists.
The nonprofit has a walk-in shop with all of the tools you need to fix your bike.
And I do mean all of the tools: tire patches, derailleurs, allen wrenches, bike stands. Does your cycle need a light or a fender? A pannier rack? Sharing Wheels has got what you need.
You pay for the parts, you do the labor. Or, you can pay a small fee and the on-site experts will repair what ails your cycle.
Sharing Wheels also gives back to the community by “flipping” donated bikes, and gifting them to children for Christmas. This year they have 135 donated bikes that need some elbow grease and a little bit of TLC.
Sharing Wheels needs your work to make them shine.
Every Thursday from September 13 until December 6 (except Thanksgiving), Sharing Wheels is hosting weekly work parties where members from the community can go and fix bikes for kids.
They also host intermittent work parties on Sundays. Don’t worry, you won’t miss the big game; they play the Seahawks on the radio.
Our own Tyler Chism volunteering at Sharing Wheels.
Never fixed a bike before? No problem. This Thursday Sharing Wheels will also be hosting a training class from 6:30 to 7:30. They’ll walk you through the fundamentals of bike repair, followed by a work party until 9 p.m.
Besides this first class, there are two other training classes between now and December.
Sarah Molitch, now a Sharing Wheels employee, started as a volunteer fixing kids bikes. She learned many practical skills that she now uses in her daily bike life.
“Now I know all the ins and outs of keeping [my bike] running smooth and practically silent. Knowing how to identify issues and correct them is absolutely empowering. It makes me feel comfortable going out on long rides and totally relying on just my bike for daily transportation.”
Bikes at Sharing Wheels.
ABOUT CHRISTMAS HOUSE
Enter the second nonprofit in our story.
Christmas House distributes the fixed kids bikes. The Christmas House is a volunteer program that gives thousands of free gifts to low-income Snohomish County parents. Last year they provided over 46,000 gifts to 7,500 children from 2,500 families. That’s impressive.
Each December their “store” opens at the North Everett Boys & Girls Club Gym.
During the holiday season, qualifying low-income kids and families can go to the gym and select free toys. It’s a good thing.
The gym at Christmas House.
So the formula emerges: you plus Sharing Wheels plus Christmas House equals holiday joy for local children. Seriously. And you can hone your bike skills and have a blast while doing it.
SHARING WHEELS
2531 Broadway
(425) 252-6952
CHRISTMAS HOUSE
PO Box 717, Everett, WA 98206
DONATE FUNDS OR GIFTS HERE
More local bike stuff:
Spot Check: Bayside Bikes
Read about Everett’s bike infrastructure
Everett bike courier is Hewitt’s descendant
Cycle enthusiasts Brittney & Tyler Rourke on live in everett podcast #33
Richard Porter is a writer for Live in Everett.
