Written by Ed Roos, Sharing Wheels Shop Manager
Sharing Wheels is a community-driven organization that has been transforming lives in Snohomish County for 22 years by offering people the opportunity to earn and fix their bikes for free. These bikes are essential in helping individuals commute to work, school, and appointments, improving their overall quality of life.
Kenny’s story is a testament to the impact of our Community Earn-a-Bike program. Having experienced homelessness and unstable housing since 2014, Kenny found a path to change through his involvement with The Everett Recovery Café. Through his community of other individuals experiencing homelessness and The Recovery Café, he learned about Sharing Wheels and our program to provide bikes to those in need.
After celebrating 100 days of sobriety, Kenny received one of our free bike vouchers. Motivated to earn his bike, he visited Sharing Wheels, where he met Ed, our store manager. Despite struggling with neuropathy, which affects his fine motor skills, Kenny was determined to contribute time in the shop and earn his bike. Together with Ed, they developed a plan that suited Kenny’s abilities, allowing him to help with tasks such as sweeping, mopping, and cleaning bikes.
After earning his bike, Kenny became a dedicated volunteer at Sharing Wheels. He enjoys being part of a supportive, sober community and is passionate about giving back by helping others. Kenny also trains new volunteers on how to navigate the shop’s processes, demonstrating his commitment to our organization and to our community.
Thanks to partnerships with local organizations like The Recovery Café and the dedication of people like Kenny, Sharing Wheels continues to help individuals gain access to bikes. Our Community Bike Program is just part of the Sharing Wheels vision of a Snohomish County where anyone can ride, fix or recycle a bicycle.
Your support ensures that individuals like Kenny can continue to receive a bike, along with the freedom and opportunities that come with it. Together, we can reach our year-end fundraising goal of $20K and help more people ride toward a brighter future. Every dollar you give, up to $9,500, will be matched by our board of directors, who commit both time and money to help fulfill our mission of keeping people and bikes moving.