BTW Spokane is a project of the

and the

Poll

Mechanical Support

Bike experts needed ASAP for service project

Posted June 5th, 2008 by Barb Chamberlain

This is posted on behalf of a friend of mine who works at AmericanWest Bank.

The short story:
AmericanWest BAnk partners with Q6 TV on a project where we refurb bikes for kids and distribute them to families who cannot afford them. We have lots of donated bikes already but are looking for a person, or group who is interested in joining our efforts who know their way around a bike and can give instructions on how to change a chain, where to oil a bike, etc. as well as offer advice on what type of repairs each bike will need so we can give that work direction to the volunteers. The bikes are stored at Dishman Dodge in the Valley.

Contact for more information:

Kelly McPhee

PR & Communication Manager

AmericanWest Bank
KMcPhee@awbank.net

(509) 232-1968 office

(509) 991-0575 mobile

(509) 434-3900 fax

More details:

BACKGROUND: It’s a community project with KHQ, Dishman Dodge and AmericanWest Bank. Bikes in storage at Dishman have been donated and are in need of some TLC before they are given out to kids whose families are struggling and don’t have a bike.

This project has been going on for about 7 years and various bike clubs have stepped up to be our “bike experts” over the years. Q6 is great about saying on the air whoever takes on this part and giving plugs so that’s a nice side bonus.

TASK: We are looking for a person, or group, who know their way around a bike to join the effort. This person/group would review the bikes in storage and determine which ones can be refurbished. Then we would look for them to write a note (think checklist) for each bike telling the volunteers what needs to be done for that bike (i.e. new chain, new tire, oil brakes, etc.) so we can give that work direction to the volunteers. The person/group can split up the task however it works best for them—we’re very flexible!

Once the bikes have been reviewed the refurbishing begins. We provide some volunteers, as will Dishman and some other groups but we’re always looking for more volunteers who are bike enthusiasts because they know the basics (i.e. changing an inner tube a snap for them). Plus, the more volunteers we have the more bikes we can turn around and donate! We do what we can each year and if we don’t get to some then we hold them over for the next year.

The bikes are stored at Dishman Dodge in the Valley. The assessments can be done at the time/date that works for the person/group—during the work day, evenings, weekends, whatever. Dishman is really great to work with. Once we start working on the bikes we set up blocks of time on different days/times when volunteers can come by, which is a big help because everyone has such different times that work for them—this level of volunteering that might be another opportunity for folks you know who are interested but have limited time??

A real bonus for us would be to have a “supervisor” available during a few of the large work parties to answer questions etc. because many of us have the heart to help but need a little work direction to get us going.