High School Students Repair Bicycles to Donate to Kids

The unique program, called Gearing Up for Good, teaches mechanics students hands-on bicycle repair skills at Weber Innovation High School as part of the district's career and technical education program. 

For the past three years, students in the program have learned to repair bicycles of all sizes with a focus on safety and function. They replace brake pads, adjust wiring and tune gears. The students then donate the restored bikes to elementary students within the district.

“I think it’s pretty amazing … it made me feel pretty nice,” said class participant Elizabeth Basilio.

The most recent class donated more than 16 bikes to children in their community.  

“I think it’s a great life lesson,” said Michael Blodgett, the mechanics class teacher. “Sometimes we might feel a little beat up or abused and, with a little work and some elbow grease, we can make ourselves ‘new’ again.”

The Weber School Foundation coordinates the bicycle donations. Once the bikes are refurbished, the organization helps match bikes with kids in the district who would most benefit from them. 

The donations also offer a way to recognize elementary-age students who have set a good example in their classrooms. One student thought she had been called to the principal’s office to be reprimanded. Instead, staff welcomed her with the happy surprise of a newly restored bike, bike lock and helmet.

“They said, ‘This is your new bike. You won this beautiful new bike,’” she recalled.

The program combines real-world skills with meaningful service to help students experience teamwork as they build career and problem-solving skills. In addition, they get to witness first-hand how their work can make a positive impact in the lives of others when they see the joy on recipients' faces.

The Foundation for a Better Life and PassItOn.com believe that the high school students participating in the Gearing Up for Good program are heroes. Their action is a great example of the value of helping others. Bikes provide much joy, independence and confidence to young children, and these high school students get the experience of turning practical skills into tangible gifts for their community. 

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/pCTDbOA0zjU?si=tFOkkBOHKghzxJT5

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