Bike Ministry

photo of bike with volunteer

Gently used bicycles are collected from individuals, the township recycling center, and local businesses. The bikes are then refurbished and given to individuals in need. Love INC wants to make a bicycle available to anyone who needs one.

A bicycle can provide an opportunity to do things one cannot achieve on foot: a chance to get a hot meal across town, go to a job interview, accept a job, access medical care, or attend school. Suddenly a used bicycle becomes a ticket to independence and a chance for a better life. This includes kids who simply have not had the chance to own their own bike. The freedom, joy, and friendship that comes from exploring the neighborhood by bike is one many cherish.

Love INC's Bicycle Ministry placed 124 bikes in 2012.

While most of the needs associated with the Bicycle Ministry are in volunteer hours, there are additional costs when it comes to the parts needed to refurbish the bikes. Donated bikes are generally not in top condition. Many are stripped down to help rebuild and refurbish other bikes but, even after this stripping process, there are critical parts which must be purchased. Cables, cable housings, tubes, tires and new helmets are the most common needs.


A Love Story

Two bikes make Christmas special -
During a phone conversation, a Love INC Clearinghouse volunteer asked a single father if he needed any help with Christmas gifts for his two sons. The dad said his two sons, ages 7 and 9 would each like a bike, size 20 inches. One hour after the call, a woman called to offer 2 size 20 inch boys bikes to anyone in need. The donated bikes were secretly delivered Christmas Eve. Love INC volunteers made that family's Christmas extra special.

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