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Category Archives: Uncategorized

Earn-A-Bike alum, now in college, returns to City Garden to ride with current students

These nine students got a special treat as part of their graduation ride day on Tuesday: getting to meet and ride with Ethan Stevenson, a BWorks Earn-A-Bike alumnus who was himself a City Garden Montessori School elementary student more than a decade ago. He has fond memories of his own participation in the free program back in the day.

“I remember being so eager to learn about bikes, and BWorks gave me the opportunity to not only learn but give me the confidence to work on my own bike,” he recalls.

Ethan, who is now a college student in Indianapolis, stopped by BWorks’ bike shop some months back and had a chance to reconnect with the BWorks team. When we told him we planned to have yet another group of City Garden Earn-A-Bikers graduating just in time for his winter-break trip home from college, he eagerly agreed to join us as a ride-day volunteer.

And so on December 19, in addition to getting to triumphantly ride their newly refurbished bikes, enjoy hot cocoa and then take home locks, lights and helmets in addition to these cherished machines, City Garden fourth graders got the special surprise of interacting and riding bikes with Ethan. Ethan also got to reconnect with one of his former City Garden teachers who is still teaching at the school — and still remembers him well.

Some of the bike crew made it as far as Tower Grove Park and back, with Ethan helping lead the ride on neighborhood streets.

“I was amazed to see the same eagerness in all nine of those kids — the same as when I was in their shoes,” Ethan says. “I’m glad to see that this program is still around and hopefully it is for many years to come!”

Ethan tells us he still looks back on the multi-week Earn-A-Bike program he participated in (and later his younger brother, also at City Garden) as a highlight of his childhood. Even better? He’s still riding bikes!

Big thanks to Ethan for joining us for the reunion and proving to be a great ride helper now as an adult! And kudos to all of our volunteers, staff, donors, partners, parents and students during this holiday season. You continue to amaze us!

Volunteer extraordinaire Tim Quinn refurbishes 100 bikes in a single year

For more than 10 years now, BWorks volunteer Tim Quinn has been helping out in big ways in our bike shop. And in 2020, when the pandemic hit and our operations temporarily took a major shift, he began taking bikes to his home to help keep the work — and our amazing students — rolling on two wheels.

“Slowly, I acquired tools and a stand until I had my own little bike shop in the basement,” Tim says. “It’s nice to go down, turn on Spotify and work on bikes.”

His wife soon suggested he start keeping track of the many bikes he was refurbishing on behalf of BWorks. She gave him a calendar to start cataloging the bikes.

“Two years ago, the number {for that year alone] was 91 which pushed me to see if I could reach 100 this year,” Tim explains.

Earlier this month, Tim did just that, returning his 100th refurbished bike to the shop, where it will soon find an eager new owner. BWorks has had more than 500 children and teens graduate from Earn-A-Bike, Learn-To-Ride and Earn-A-Computer so far in 2023, and so the need for wonderful sets of wheels is an ongoing one.

Donated bikes come to BWorks in all sorts of states. Each of these machines gets a full going-over by our skilled mechanical team. But as Tim knows so well, some require a lot more work than others.

“The bikes I like the best are the ones that [computer shop manager and BWorks jack of all trades] Quorey refers to as those that need a lot of love,” Tim says.

He’s always up for a challenge, and the whole team is continually impressed by how beautiful each bike Tim works on looks when it returns to BWorks ready to ride.

“I’ve learned a lot from the staff and volunteers at BWorks,” Tim says. “The people I’ve met are genuinely good people. Shout out to MIke, Quorey, Patrick, John and Paul, who have taught me a lot and have become good friends. I’ve learned much and I know I’m not the best bike mechanic but I think I can claim bike detailing, making them look nice as my superpower.  Thanks, BWorks, for all you’ve given me.”

At this holiday season, we want to express our deep gratitude to Tim and all of our incredibly devoted volunteers. You amaze us every day.

BWorks Trivia Night is BACK!

Join St. Louis BWorks for a night of fun with our semi-annual Trivia Fundraiser. All proceeds support Bworks’ unique programming. Tables seat 8-10 participants: split the cost with your brainiest friends! Entry includes free beer. You must be 21+ to attend.

Date: Friday, January 26th, 7-10pm

Location: German Cultural Society 3652 S. Jefferson Ave, STL MO 63118

Cost: $300 for a table (seats 8-10) Tables can be reserved here.

Details:

  • Limited to 28 tables
  • Free beer with tickets (2 per person)
  • Must be 21+ to attend
  • BYO snacks/food
  • Raffle Prizes
  • Ample parking in the back of the building
  • Friends!
  • Fun!

Farewell to 2023

As we say farewell to another remarkable year, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve embarked on together. 

We want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who has contributed to our cause. Your unwavering support, dedication, and passion have been the driving force behind the positive changes we’ve been able to achieve in the past twelve months.

Together we’ve been able to increase our student reach — with almost 40% more classes this year!  We have served 71 different groups of children and teens through Earn-A-Bike, Learn-To-Ride and Earn-A-Computer. With 23 of these free, in-depth courses taking place at partner locations, BWorks made important new connections in numerous neighborhoods around the bi-state region. 

These successes are not just statistics; they represent enriched lives, strengthened communities, and brighter futures. We continue to be dedicated to not only reaching more of our fellow citizens but also deepening our engagement to create enduring positive change. 

I continue to be impressed by our amazing volunteers and staff who daily go above and beyond for our families, be it providing more practice outside of class time, building adaptive equipment for kids with unique challenges, refining and expanding our curricula and more.

As we grow, maintaining our core values that define us becomes paramount. Growth should be a means to amplify our impact, not dilute the essence of who we are.  Preserving the spirit of inclusivity, transparency, and accountability that has been the foundation of BWorks is essential as we navigate the path forward. 

The coming year holds exciting possibilities, and we are confident that, with your continued support, we will reach even greater heights.

Thank you for being an integral part of our BWorks family. Together, we are making a real and lasting difference in St. Louis and the world.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Patrick