Think back for a moment and remember the thrill of how it felt when you took a ride on your very first bike—the wind in your hair, freedom ahead and a smile from ear to ear.
DreamBikes, which opened last March in Madison, Wis., helps make that thrill a reality for every child. The nonprofit store fixes donated bikes and sells them at a price neighborhood residents can afford. The store also gives local teenagers the opportunity to receive job training, work experience and learn about running a business.
Madison-based McGann Construction, a member of Associated Builders and Contractors’ Wisconsin Chapter, learned about the project through its relationship with The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. "We were delighted to donate our labor and leadership to bring this project together," says Randy Handel, vice president of McGann Construction.
"We were contacted by some representatives from [the bike compay] Trek who were working with The Boys & Girls Club on developing a store that would allow young people in the neighborhood to work and learn about business by participating in this operation. We have a very strong relationship with The Boys & Girls Club and they suggested the folks from Trek contact us to see if we could help."
In partnership with The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, DreamBikes employs teenagers who are enrolled in the club’s Job Ready Program, which is designed to help 14- to 18-year-olds prepare for the professional work world. The mission at DreamBikes is to provide marketable job skills to the youth who work there, as well as emphasize self-confidence. DreamBikes wants all children to realize that their dreams are within reach, and that they can accomplish anything with hard work and motivation.
McGann donated all materials and manpower for the renovation. Crews remodeled the bathroom and the mechanical room and installed drywall, casework and laminate countertops.
The new store has become a neighborhood hangout where people stop in to catch up with friends and look at the bikes—a welcome change for the community, which has suffered for years from drug and crime problems and a lack of employers in the area. But since DreamBikes arrived, other businesses such as Home Depot have opened stores in the area to further improve the community.
"Community service is very important to McGann," Handel says. "We strongly encourage and support our employees in every possible way to be involved in volunteer work in the communities in which they live. Giving back and helping others aligns perfectly with our overall mission, which is to build strong relationships and serve others."
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Wednesday, February 8, 2012