by Holly Robinson
July 11, 2011 5:55 PM
Ask anyone outside of the United States what two characteristics do they thing define many Americans and they’ll likely say that we have too much stuff and we are overweight. Being the consumer nation that we are, the ‘too much stuff’ is true for many people. Turn on a news cast and you hardly go a day without hearing about the obesity ‘epidemic’ either.
A self storage facility in Homer, Alaska, has found a way to help people in their community with both of those issues.
East End Mini Storage is part of Homer Storage and Rental, a three facility operation in Homer, Alaska, which is about 220 miles south of Anchorage. Also part of the family is Northside Hangars and Top Shelf Storage. Together they handle the storage needs for the people of Homer and all their extraneous ‘stuff’ (one issue down).
At a recent event, the people at East End Mini Storage found a way to help out with the other issue, obesity. They teamed up with Bikes Rock Homer to host what they called a ‘fix ’em party’ on July 1.
Members of the Homer Cycling Club were on hand to offer onsite bicycle repair to whoever needed it. Just in case people were hungry, the hosted a barbecue as well.
"I just thought it would be really cool with the idea behind Nature Rocks to get people outside and doing things and wouldn't it be cool to get kids who need bikes not only outside but to have transportation," said organizer Sallie Rediske.
Rediske also mentioned that she was initially told that a program like this would not take off because kids just are not into riding bicycles anymore. She saw evidence to the opposite effect at the East End Mini Storage event in the way a seven year old girl reacted when she got her bike.
"She saw it and was just (wide eyed and waving hands). She touched it like she was petting an animal and just squealed. She was so excited," Rediske said. "It's just laying the foundation for kids loving to ride and also helping people who need to have transportation too. It's really been fun."
Since kick starting the Bikes Rock Homer program in February she says that about 50 bikes have been collected. About 20 bikes have been handed out to people in need. At the event July 1, six different people were able to leave with bikes. Two more will be getting theirs soon.
For at least a day a self storage company found a way to help people store their stuff and get in better shape!
Sources Used:
“Alaska Self-Storage Facility Hosts Bicycle Charity Event.” Inside Self Storage; 11 July 2011.
“Old bikes wheeled out for new owners.” HomerNews.com; 06 July 2011.