By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews
WALDPORT — Some of Santa’s best helpers work out of a building on Grant Street in Waldport. That’s where volunteer elves with the Green Bike Co-op have been working to give away about 45 bicycles to young children in south Lincoln County this season.
For over 12 years, the nonprofit group has been granting the two-wheeled holiday wishes of kids whose families can’t afford to pay for bikes themselves. While Green Bike — a subsidiary of Seashore Family Literacy — rents, sells and repairs bikes year ‘round, at the holidays the focus is on young clients and smaller bikes.
“These are bikes that have been donated throughout the year,” said Rick Hill, a longtime volunteer from Seal Rock. “We inspect each one, and make any necessary mechanical repairs or cosmetic improvements like painting or removing rust, and install safety reflectors front and back.”
The work is done by about nine volunteers — Green Bike welcomes more — who work out of the former Waldport Heritage Museum at Northeast Third and Grant streets.
The refurbished bikes are valued at $50 to $75, and are sized for children, not teens. The maximum wheel diameter is 20 inches.
Co-op volunteers find recipients in a couple of different ways. First, letters go out in the Thanksgiving baskets provided by South Lincoln Resources, another Waldport nonprofit that offers goods to people in need. The letters ask if a child in the household wants a bike, and then a family member can pick one up at the Co-op. Washington Federal Bank, under Waldport branch manger Raenette Mohni, handles that part of the bike giveaway.
Other bike are given to children who turn out for Seashore Literacy’s annual family Christmas event, slated for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17 at the Co-op. There, children ages five to 15 can “shop” for family members from tables of free holiday gifts. While the young ones are occupied, parents can choose a bike from those stored in the Co-op’s annex.
Spots are limited for the holiday shopping days. While the Saturday session is full, there were still, as of last weekend, openings for Sunday, Dec. 17. Those interested may call Seashore Literacy at 541-563-7323, and leave their name and number.
To find out if any bikes are still available after Sunday, those interested may call the Co-op at 541-563-7328.
Bicycle donations aren’t being accepted at present, but will resume when the Co-Op re-opens in mid-January. Meanwhile, new volunteers of all skill levels—and especially those who have bicycle experience—are welcomed.
“It’s very rewarding,” Hill said.
Although Co-op staffers don’t get to see the impact of their holiday work directly since they’re not present when a child receives a bike, there are compensations.
“After the giveaway, we hear from parents,” Hill said. “We’ll get some nice comments; some even call us rock stars for doing this.”
Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to Green Bike Co-op, 320 N.E. Grant St, Waldport, Ore. 97394. The operation could also get a bit of a financial lift this year because it was selected for The Oregonian/OregonLive’s annual holiday fundraising campaign for nonprofits.
