Riverview Gardens Hosts 2nd Annual Earth Week Bicycle Drive for Earn-A-Bike Program
The following is presented by Kelly Nutty, Director of Resource
Riverview Gardens, Inc. is celebrating Earth Week by hosting a bicycle drive to support its earn-a-bike program April 16-22, 2017.
Riverview Gardens’ earn-a-bike program is an opportunity for community members to work together to address a common barrier to employment and community engagement, providing low-cost and reliable transportation to people who need a bicycle. Anyone who needs a bicycle can volunteer 15 hours at Riverview Gardens in exchange for ownership of a refurbished, commute-worthy bicycle and safety gear (lock, light, and helmet). Once earned, a bicycle can be brought back to the earn-a-bike program for free repairs and tune-ups. Eight bike mechanics donate hundreds of hours of their time each year to get bikes road ready and help people in our community roll forward. The earn-a-bike program has grown exponentially since it started in 2013. Over 150 people are anticipated to earn bikes in 2017.
As part of the Earth Week bicycle drive, Riverview Gardens seeks donations of bicycles in any condition, as well as bike tools, parts, supplies, and safety gear.
Donations during Earth Week can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Riverview Gardens Community Center, 1101 S. Oneida Street, Appleton, Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm;
- Appleton Bicycle Shop, 121 S. State St., Appleton, call 920-733-2595 or visit www.appletonbike.com for hours;
- Recyclist Bicycle Company, 631 Saunders Rd., Kaukauna, call 920-759-1200 or visit www.recyclist.com for hours.
Monetary gifts to the earn-a-bike program can be sent to Riverview Gardens, attn.: Kelly Nutty, 1101 S. Oneida Street, Appleton, WI 54915.
“Helping someone earn a bike is an easy way to help transform a life. People without reliable transportation are socially isolated. When people have a way to get around, they can get and keep jobs, give back, and be a part of the community,” said Kelly Nutty, Riverview Gardens’ Director of Resource Management. “So many people have bikes in storage that they don’t use. The earn-a-bike program is an impactful way to recycle those unused bikes, no matter what condition.”
Riverview Gardens' mission is to provide job training for people in need, to transform their lives and our community.
For more information, please contact Director of Resource Management, Kelly Nutty, at 920-378-8527 or knutty@riverviewgardens.org.