Gaining Power, Freedom, And Joy In A New Bike
When you think of a bicycle, you might picture freedom and the joy of escaping the humdrum. But for kids in Madison, Wisconsin, it's also a dream about going places and reaching a hopeful, new destination.
One organization has been turning that dream into reality for 30 years—handing kids refurbished bicycles—no money down, just a little heart and a few hours of community service.
Wheels for Winners is powered entirely by volunteers who rescue used bikes often from landfills, repair them to near-new condition, and offer them to young people who agree to give ten hours of community service at a church, food pantry, or neighborhood center.
The concept is simple, generous, and profound. For kids who don't have a prayer of affording a bike, a little sweat equity gives them a beautiful set of wheels, a helmet, a sturdy lock—and a brand new surge of pride in helping others.
Wheels for Winners isn’t just about bikes—it's about love. It’s about extending kindness to those who have little, and teaching them that true liberation is much more than a ride in the park. It's an open road toward something new, bigger, and deeply rewarding, and one that is sure to lead to success.
Check out the repair shop below.
Have you volunteered or been the beneficiary of an organization that helps kids? If so, please tell us your story.
Photo by Alex Azabache on Unsplash
Slipstream
This is a great story. Wheels for Winners is doing a great service for the kids and the non-profits of Madison—a real win-win.
I volunteered to coach my son's T-ball team. It was a lot of fun, and I felt good that I was helping out.
Thanks!
Evangel
As our government continues to create budgets that rob the poor to pay the rich, we can only applaud the efforts of organizations who try to fill in the gaps. More than ever, we are all needed to do our part as well. Give the love you can. Be there for others who are going through a tough time. Reach out, be kind, be remembered.
Well Street
This is a great program because it teaches kids the satisfaction of earning something through honest work.
Along with other personal trainers, I volunteered to lead fitness classes at the LA Mission for men and women who were getting back on their feet after a time on the streets. This was a very fulfilling experience.
Homeless Valley
There are so many kids who've been uprooted from their homelands due to war or violence and often struggle to find their footing and fit into the novelty of American life. Programs like these help them feel wanted and worthy, and teach them the value and rewards of helping others. It's a win win for the community, too. Thank you for posting this story. I'd love to see more uplifting stories like this about communities and organizations doing their part to heal the rough edges of life in America.