As we continue with our mission building relationships and getting people a means of transportation through bicycles, the past year at Switchin’ Gears has been a busy one and such a blessing.
This year we helped 475 people get bikes. Bikes can either be purchased outright, or if low on cash, one can put in several hours of work in the shop to earn a bike through our Work-a-Bike-Off program. One of our bikes was recently ridden by a gentleman all the way to Florida!
A big highlight of this year has been hosting and training our newest bike mechanic, Jeronimo Romera. His skills are top notch and his presence in the shop has helped transform lives and bikes alike. Jeronimo’s kindness has brightened the community and we are delighted he is a part of Switchin’ Gears and helps run our Emergency Shelter.
This year we held two Pint for a Bike drives with Wrightsville Beach Brewery, which yielded about a 25 bikes donated to us to refurbish. We are also one of their adopted charities, and for a month out of the year, 10% of sales from a specific beer on tap is donated to us. At Christmas time, we held another fundraiser by selling Christmas tree ornaments made out of bike parts. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church also held a bike drive on several Sundays and we hope to encourage more churches into hosting bike drives next year. We are always on the lookout for unique, unconventional, and fun ways to support our ministry.
During the Blueberry Festival in Burgaw, Switchin’ Gears had a booth where we sold T-shirts and jewelry. We also had the opportunity to be on-site bike mechanics for the Tour de Blueberry, a community ride of between 9 to 64 miles!
This gave us the opportunity to share about the grace-filled work where God is touching lives through bicycles. Another action we took this year was hosting bike tours of Wilmington. This was a great way to give out-of-towner’s a view of God’s work in the Port City and have plans to expand this in the years to come. We look forward to merging with A Bike For Every Child and make bike giveaways to kids as a semi-annual event.
Back at the shop, in addition to the bike repair, we also offer free laundry services, coffee, and place to share life with each other. We also have some beautiful swag for sale. Our regulars include neighbors from the North Side, people expereincing the throws of active addiction, people who live on the street, and we also get visitors from the nearby sober living houses. Beyond bicycles, we hope to give everyone who passes through our doors a sense of community and purpose. We want everyone to experience the love of Jesus by experiencing love and acceptance at Switchin’ Gears, regardless of their situation. Our doors are truely open to everyone.
As the sign says out front, miracles happen here. We believe that the greatest miracle is God came in the flesh like us and this in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and He has commissioned us to be his hands and feet on the streets of Wilmington. We would like to invite you to be a part of this ministry by giving financially, giving of your time through volunteering, or by donating a bicycle that you no longer use. Swtichin’ Gears is located at 1202 Chestnut Street and you can call us at 910.540.8083