Brian from World Relief (organization that works with refugees in Clarkston) called me yesterday. A Cuban refugee named Jesus with whom he has been working was robbed of his bike yesterday and Brian wanted to help him get a new bike. Jesus just started working at for a tech manufacturing company and his shift ends late at night, meaning he has to walk home in the cold and dark for a few miles.
I went to the Communicycle bike shop and picked up an old Schwinn mountain bike that I had just given a brown/ orange Communicycle custom paint job and fitted it with reflectors and a kick stand. I am really proud of this bike as a donation, as one of my best paint jobs, and as a commuter. It has pavement-friendly smooth tires, a steel lugged frame, and nice aluminum rims. I also picked up a u-lock and a decent front/rear light set.
I met Brian at Jesus' employer to drop off the bike, but unfortunately Jesus was busy working, so I could not meet him. We left the bike with his supervisor and he'll have a nice reliable bike to ride to and from work now.
I will do my best to tell the stories of the people Communicycle serves in the future, Jesus is just one of many and as important to us as every person whose life is touched by the gift of transportation.
