Sunday, December 21, 2014

WHY WE DO IT

 I grew up in
Southern California doing what kids do. I thought little about others,
indulged in pleasing me, flunked out of school, and formed unhealthy
addictions. I got busted a bunch and then finally grew tired of the
feeling of failure. In 1996, I started reading the Bible and realized
that there was so much more to life than I was seeing. I cleaned up my
act, sold everything I owned, got on a bike, and traveled for fourteen
years learning about myself.  But more importantly, I learned about
others. I saw a part of this country few ever get to see and am thankful
 for every step of the way. This is where the the freebox bike project
started to grow. At times, we would go out giving things away, helping
out at bike co-ops around the country, etc. All the while being homeless
 myself. It was a great life of simplicity and peace. In 2009, I married
 my touring partner. We traveled for about four years from city to city
with our bikes and camper van. I did odd jobs to provide while work
trading and care taking. Now we have three small children and are
getting more settled in Oregon.  I got a great job driving a wheelchair
van and am renting 5 acres in the country. We have a small, hobby farm
and are very thankful! 
We wanted to start up something good so we bought a Surly Big Dummy used
 off of Craigslist to involve the community with a homeless outreach. We
 want to do this all with our bikes to be among the homeless and their
camps......more of a real feel environment. We have a great love for
people and bikes and we think the two together is a great combo. I think
 our past experience being homeless adds a the ingredient of empathy the
 "system" lacks.   

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