Tag: Community Outreach

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Donations kids bikes News Volunteers

Thanks for Making an Impact

By Sharing Wheels

This post is to say “Thank You.” Thank you for helping us make Snohomish County a place where anyone can ride, fix or recycle a bicycle. That’s our vision, anyway, and we did a lot to move toward it in 2023.

So far through early November we have:

  • Helped 2-3 people every day we’re open with free Bike Repair Help
  • Given 46 adults in need a bicycle for transportation 
  • Refurbished 174 kid bikes for low income families
  • Repaired 180 bikes for free at local libraries & events
  • Accepted 441 bicycle donations to refurbish or recycle

We couldn’t have done it without your support. Volunteers help staff the shop and fix bikes. Donors give directly and through corporate match programs at Boeing and elsewhere. Customers find the parts they need to keep classic bikes going, and tell their friends about our services.

We love bikes and the people who ride them. Thanks for helping us make a difference as the only nonprofit bike shop in Snohomish County. Together we make the world better – one pedal stroke at a time.

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News Volunteers

Mobile bike clinics keep people rolling

By Christy Cowley, Executive Director

We’ve gone and done it again for the third year. Partnering with libraries, community centers and WSU Repair Cafe, we’ve offered 26 free bike repair events in Snohomish County this year.* We fixed almost 180 bicycles, plus a few walkers and scooters as well.

The minor bike repairs are completely free thanks to 16 volunteers, who donated 312 hours of their time, and to the The Larson Legacy Foundation, who once again partially funded the purchase of the tools, parts and accessories necessary to run the program.

We never ask for payment at our mobile bike repair clinics, but some people just can’t resist showing their appreciation. Ted was one of those satisfied customers. With no reliable income and only a broken bike to get around town, he came to our monthly clinic at Everett’s Evergreen Library for help. When we were done fixing his bike, he emptied his pockets of all his loose change to thank our volunteers.

The average local bike shop charges $75 an hour for labor, so even basic bike repairs can be way beyond what many people can afford. That’s why we go out into the community to offer help.

Our volunteers helped a wide range of customers in 2023:

  • 43% identified as low or very low income
  • 15% had disabilities
  • 27% were Asian, 12% Hispanic or Latino, 8% Black or African American, and 3% were Native American

With all that diversity everyone still had one thing in common – a bike in need of repair. 

No one should ever have to ride a bike with tattered brake cables and broken pedals. That’s why Sharing Wheels will continue to expand the mobile repair program and offer this much-needed service in 2024 and beyond. 

*Mobile Repair Clinic Locations

  • Evergreen Library
  • Mariner Library
  • Bothell Library
  • WSU Repair Cafes throughout Snohomish County
  • First Baptist Church, Everett

Thanks especially to the Everett Public Library and Sno-Isle Library systems, whose staff helped host and promote the events.

Xmas Kid Bike Work Party 2023

Volunteers of all mechanical abilities can help fix kids bikes at out Xmas Kid Bike Work Party. These bikes will be given to our partner charities this holiday season. We’ll be hosting work parties on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6pm – 9pm, through early December.

Tony will host this event and he can host up to 6 volunteers to fix kid bikes for our 2023 Xmas House Project.

Advanced registration is required. RSVP by clicking on the button below.

Snacks will be provided. Please bring a bottle of water.

Volunteers are encouraged to take one of our classes, and to return more than once to keep learning and practicing basic cleaning and repair skills.

Xmas Kid Bike Work Party 2023

Volunteers of all mechanical abilities can help fix kids bikes at out Xmas Kid Bike Work Party. These bikes will be given to our partner charities this holiday season. We’ll be hosting work parties on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6pm – 9pm, through early December.

Larry will host this event and he can host up to 6 volunteers to fix kid bikes for our 2023 Xmas House Project.

Advanced registration is required. RSVP by clicking on the button below.

Snacks will be provided. Please bring a bottle of water.

Volunteers are encouraged to take one of our classes, and to return more than once to keep learning and practicing basic cleaning and repair skills.

Xmas Kid Bike Work Party 2023

Volunteers of all mechanical abilities can help fix kids bikes at out Xmas Kid Bike Work Party. These bikes will be given to our partner charities this holiday season. We’ll be hosting work parties on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6pm – 9pm, through early December.

Tony will host this event and he can host up to 6 volunteers to fix kid bikes for our 2023 Xmas House Project.

Advanced registration is required. RSVP by clicking on the button below.

Snacks will be provided. Please bring a bottle of water.

Volunteers are encouraged to take one of our classes, and to return more than once to keep learning and practicing basic cleaning and repair skills.

Xmas Kid Bike Work Party 2023

Volunteers of all mechanical abilities can help fix kids bikes at out Xmas Kid Bike Work Party. These bikes will be given to our partner charities this holiday season. We’ll be hosting work parties on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6pm – 9pm, through early December.

Tony will host this event and he can host up to 6 volunteers to fix kid bikes for our 2023 Xmas House Project.

Advanced registration is required. RSVP by clicking on the button below.

Snacks will be provided. Please bring a bottle of water.

Volunteers are encouraged to take one of our classes, and to return more than once to keep learning and practicing basic cleaning and repair skills.

Xmas Kid Bike Work Party 2023

Volunteers of all mechanical abilities can help fix kids bikes at out Xmas Kid Bike Work Party. These bikes will be given to our partner charities this holiday season. We’ll be hosting work parties on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6pm – 9pm, through early December.

Tony will host this event and he can host up to 6 volunteers to fix kid bikes for our 2023 Xmas House Project.

Advanced registration is required. RSVP by clicking on the button below.

Snacks will be provided. Please bring a bottle of water.

Volunteers are encouraged to take one of our classes, and to return more than once to keep learning and practicing basic cleaning and repair skills.