Here’s the story about a Kids N’ Kinship mentor from Apple Valley who gives back through his talents as reported by Lindsey Seavert from WCCO on June 4, 2011.
Apple Valley Man Fixes 85 Bikes To Help Kids
The nice weather was on the side of an Apple Valley man Saturday in that it helped him bring a little sunshine to many kids in his neighborhood.
Rick Anderson held an annual bike sale Saturday benefiting Dakota County’s Kids’ n Kinship program.
“I collect and get donated bicycles that I fix and clean-up and refurbish and polish,” Anderson said. “I get a kick of fixing up something that is old, been hanging in someone’s garage and bringing it back to life.”
However, there’s another reason why he spends all year fixing bikes in his garage. It’s a matter close to his heart.
Anderson started fixing Schwinn bikes back when he was 8 years old, an escape from a time in his life that wasn’t so carefree.
“I grew up in a pretty tough household as a kid,” Anderson said. He believes mentors made a difference in his life when he was child.
Thus, he became a mentor through the Kids ‘n Kinship program and discovered the kids he worked with didn’t have bikes of their own.
“This program gives me a chance to give something back and make a future for a kid that doesn’t have a good start,” Anderson said.
He fixed up 85 bikes this year and has about the same amount in the works for future projects.
Last year, he raised $6,000 for kids in need, and he hopes the bikes for sale this year raise the same amount.
Mai-Anh Kapanke
April Riordan
Joellen Gonder Spacek
Polly Roach
