Workday Annoucement - Saturday, 8/20, 2-4pm

Just because it is hot outside does not mean that there are still not those out there that need basic transportation.  We are working on trying to clear out as much inventory before Christmas (yes, the end of the year), as we will be doing another ReCycling event with a local elementary school in January.  Last January, we pulled in over 110 bikes!  We have to make room!  So please come out and help prep bikes for our partner charities!  MAM has already put in an order for some women's bikes, and we have a bunch of kids bikes that require very little work.

We are also working on trying to set up our first "spoke" at Clark Martinson's church - St. Mark's Methodist Church in the Heights.  Trucks and a trailer would be very helpful!

Saturday, August 20th, from 2-4pm at Memorial Drive Christian Church.  See you there.

Pay it Forward,
David

The word spreads to Montrose

Here is a great story about how word about Chain Reaction Ministries is spreading.  Larry and Carol Neal are members of Memorial Drive Christian Church.  Their daughter works for Manhattan Construction located over in Montrose.  Their daughter knew about Chain Reaction Ministries through her parents, and saw the opportunity to ReCycle Freedom with a person in need in their area.  The note was written to Jeff Stones, our cornerstone in the repair shop!

Dear Jeff,

Thanks again for helping us replace Mr. Isaac’s bike. Mr. Isaac lives in the storage closet across the street from our office. Every morning he is out watering the plants and waves when we pull in the parking lot. He washes cars and does small clean up jobs for people to make ends meet. His primary transportation was a bike that he saved for and bought at a local pawn shop. Unfortunately, his bike was stolen a few weeks ago, leaving him no way to travel to work or see his sister in the medical center, or his pastor downtown. Thanks to you guys, Mr. Isaac is once again back in business with a new bike. The smile on his face when we gave him the bike was irreplaceable! Thanks again for helping out a friend in need.

Beverly Girgis
Estimator
Manhattan Construction

Basic Transportation Helps MAM Client Get to Work Easier,

Cynthia Guerrero lives near 34th Street and TC Jester and does not have an automobile. Her new job as a Certified Montessori Instructor at Cypresswood Montessori School would have required her to walk over a mile to and from the nearest bus stop to the school.  Thanks to a nicely refurbished bicycle from Chain Reaction Ministries, supplemented by a bicycle helmet and bike lock from Houston Cycling Centres, Ms. Guerrero’s commute will be quicker and more convenient.  “I’m so grateful to MAM and its partners for this bicycle,” said Cynthia. “It will really make a positive difference in my life.”  Cycle2Success is a partnership among the Employment Services program at Memorial Assistance Ministries, Chain Reaction Ministries (a major service project at Memorial Drive Christian Church) and Houston Cycling Centres. The partnership sources donated bicycles, refurbishes them and distributes them to clients who need them to seek work or to commute to and from work.

If you are interested in supporting this project with a donated bicycle, please bring it to Spring Valley Cyclery, 9414 Gaylord, just east of Echo Lane. Or, you can click here to go to the website of Houston Cycling Centres.

Bob King

Associate Director, Employment Services
Memorial Assistance Ministries
1625 Blalock Road
Houston, Texas 77080

A little bit of sunshine. A Story from WHAM

These children were so excited to get the bicycles because theirs were stolen just after Christmas. Someone broke into their apartment and took the few items of value they had of which included the children’s bikes. The mother works as a teacher’s assistant so she struggles to make ends meet. The little boy suffers from a mild case of Autism but is well behaved and the daughter is a smart young lady that makes good grades. The daughter asked if she could ride her bike home instead of putting it in their vehicle but of course mom said no. Thank you for helping WHAM bring a little sunshine to what seemed like a rainy day. We are so fortunate to have a partnership with Chain Reaction Ministries.

Sonya Scott
Director of Client Services
West Houston Assistance Ministries