Good deed leads to bicycle ministry

Wed, Nov 25, 2009    to del.icio.us

Derek Rust's good deed for a friend several years ago has turned out to benefit many people — including himself.

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Rust, an advertising representative with the Grand Haven Tribune, learned that a single mother — whose only means of transportation was a bicycle — had her bike stolen. Rust, who has some experience working on bicycles, fixed up a used bicycle for her to use.

That kind gesture led Rust to explore ways of helping other people who were in need of bicycles for transportation.

Rust bounced his idea off Tim Meyer, owner of Rock 'N' Road Cycle in Grand Haven, and Meyer referred him to Love INC Tri-Cities Executive Director Eric Morgan.

Thus, the wheels were set in motion for the creation of Love Links, a bicycle ministry under the auspices of volunteers Char and Kevin Velik, who are affiliated with Harvest Bible Chapel in West Olive. Love Links serves as a partner for Love INC.

There was still another surprise in store for Rust for his endeavor. During his visit to Love INC, he met his future wife, Leah, who is the assistant director for the agency's Grand Haven office.

The bicycle ministry was launched in 2007, but it really began to flourish in 2008 when 128 bicycles were repaired and given away. So far this year, 202 bicycles have been given away.

"The only reason this is here (bicycle ministry) is because of Char and Kevin," Rust said.

Char Velik said she and her husband had been looking for a ministry to serve when they were asked to coordinate the bicycle giveaway program.

"This is a Christian ministry, and people involved with this are Christians reaching out and serving God in our community," Kevin Velik added.

The Love Links bicycle ministry operates in the spring through fall, and provides bicycles to people of all ages. Special bicycle giveaways are held on two Saturday mornings each month. Those people who requests bicycles through Love INC receive vouchers for the Saturday giveaways.

Rust and other volunteers work on used bicycles from their shop located at the corner of U.S. 31 and Stanton in West Olive.

"You don't have to know how to work on bicycles to volunteer," Rust said. "We can always use help."

Finding people who are in need bicycles hasn't been difficult. Kevin Velik, who volunteers as a counselor for Love INC, said word of mouth has led to quite a few requests from people who are in need of bicycles for transportation.

Velik also volunteers as a counselor for Love INC and is often told of needs for bicycles through his interviews with clients. Most of the requests for bicycles come from adults who need them for transportation.

The program has become so popular that the bicycle ministry recently gave away 36 bicycles on one Saturday morning. A man from Muskegon even walked from Muskegon to West Olive for a bike, the Veliks recalled.

The ministry relies on donated bicycles to repair and to be given away. They receive more children's bicycles than adult bicycles, in which there is an increasing need as the economy takes a toll on more and more families.

"We've really enjoyed this," said Char Velik of the bicycle ministry work. She added that it is especially rewarding to see the smiles on children when they receive bicycles.

People who want to donate bicycles can drop them off at Love INC, 1106 Fulton Ave. in Grand Haven, during business hours. The Veliks said the ministry is looking for used bicycles that are in good condition.

To volunteer with the bicycle ministry, call Char or Kevin Velik at 842-2304.

On the Net:

www.loveinctricities.org