It Feels GREAT to Give

A while back, the Southern Tier Bike Project was contacted by the coordinator of the Tioga County Family Fun Event. She asked if we would be willing to donate a bike to be raffled off as part of the event. In the end, we offered 4 bikes to cover a broad range of ages and we set about cleaning, lubricating and polishing.

The Family Fun Event is basically a way to offer some fun activities for families while, at the same time assessing the health needs of county. Families are encouraged to visit different vendor booths collecting stamps which can be redeemed for raffle tickets that they can use to enter drawings for a wide variety of donated items.

On the day of the event, I borrowed a pickup (thanks Jim) and took the 4 bikes down to Marvin Park in Owego. I was somewhat dismayed when I discovered that several local merchants had donated some very nice products, including a shiny new BMX bike and a Nintendo WII. I began to wonder if anyone would take a chance on our shiny, though slightly used, bicycles, when there were such desirable new items available.

It was with a bit of trepidation that I returned to the park for the drawing at the end of the event. I was somewhat relieved when I approached the Raffle Tent and observed that the 4 ticket jars for the bikes were not empty. That meant that someone wanted those bikes, regardless of what else was on offer.

Words cannot describe the feeling of watching 4 different families claim their restored bicycle. Each of them beamed as if it was the most precious thing on earth. I could barely contain myself when a mother claimed the little 12" Sea Star with training wheels turned it over to her 3 year old daughter. Her big sister helped her get on and she pedaled away into the fading sunlight.

Some of these bikes take a LOT of work to get restored to near-new condition. Nights like tonight make every bit of work worth while. This is what the Southern Tier Bike Project is all about.