Bunnin Chevrolet in Culver City, Kids are 1st, a non-profit organization, with the Woodland Hills and Culver City Rotary Clubs together hosted a fiesta-feeling event on Sunday, Sept. 7 to promote childhood safety and to benefit the community. Free bike repairs and free bikes were contributed by the Woodland Hills Rotary Club and Fleet Street.
“One of the great joys is community service,” President of Culver City Rotary Club Joel Forman said. “Through programs like Fleet Street and Pacific Boys Lodge, Rotary plays an important role in helping teenagers turn their lives around. Instead of becoming gang members, these young men are becoming productive members of society. Fleet Street changes the boys from part of the problem to part of the solution.”
“Together, the Fleet Street boys and volunteers bring hope and happiness to others, one bike at a time,” Co-founder of Fleet Street and a member of Woodland Hills Rotary Dana Sherman said. “In the two years that Fleet Street has been in existence, we’ve given away about 300 bikes to the community and done free repairs on many dozen more.”
The most popular booth at the event was Fleet Street’s “Free Bike Repair,” a program of Woodland Hills Rotary Club and its partner Pacific Boys Lodge, also in Woodland Hills. The Boys Lodge is a youth services organization that promotes a supportive, therapeutic residential environment for boys 12-18 who are in the juvenile justice system.
“Through the generous support of Woodland Hills Rotary volunteers we’ve worked with about a dozen young men to teach them responsibility, attention to detail, cooperation, and learning skills,” Sherman said. “And we expect to do much more in the future.” The boys from Boys Lodge fix and repair donated bicycles. Fleet Street then gives those bikes free to homeless shelters, youth organizations, and those less fortunate members of the community who need bikes. While the boys learn the skills of bike repair, they experience the joy of giving to others.
Attendees brought bicycles to the Fleet Street booth for free repair (parts and labor) by the Fleet Street boys and their mentors. There were more than a dozen happy grateful visitors who were able to ride their bikes home that day.
In addition, Fleet Street brought to the Culver City event a half-dozen brand new Huffy children’s bikes for a free raffle conducted at the end of the day by State Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas.
Elias, age 18, who was a Boys Lodge resident and is now a Fleet-Street volunteer shared his experience. “Because of Fleet Street co-founder Steve Musnicky and the other mentors, I have learned to fix bikes and how to play music and write poetry.” Elias said. “It broke my fears and gave me the courage to move my life forward. I want to be a chef one day, and all these people from Boys Lodge, Fleet Street and Rotary are encouraging me to pursue my goal—they taught me I have tools for changing my life.”
The all-day event was packed with people and booths, representing many community organizations, including LADWP, California Highway Patrol, L.A. Metro, Culver City Police and the two Rotary clubs. Visitors were able to adopt pets and get free lunches sponsored by the hosts.
For more information about Fleet Street, to volunteer, or to donate a used bike, persons interested can visit: www.fleetstreetbikes.com or call (844) 353-3878.
