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Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge (JHSS) is once again looking for donations of bicycles for its annual Community Bike Program.
Students in the Auto Shop program at JHSS repair the bikes for the program, led by auto shop teacher, John Ottama. The bikes are then donated back into the community.
In the last four years, they've fixed up more than 30 bikes and donated them to families in need.
“When the program began, I put the word out for bikes and started fixing them,” Ottama said. “At that time there was a thrift store in Preston making donations to Argus Residence for Young People. I dropped off a bunch of bikes to them.”
Anna Cleverley from Cambridge helps Ottama collect bicycles for the program.
“All of the bikes are now donated to Family2Family, a non-profit organization in Cambridge. We are also looking into working with other organizations,” Cleverley said.
“Thanks to everyone for the amazing response so far.”
Ottama said Cleverley has been instrumental in encouraging bike donations.
“She got the ball rolling. School staff have also helped with getting the word out in their neighbourhoods,” Ottama said.
“Anna also found Family2Family. They have a list of people waiting for bicycles. It works perfectly. If there is someone in need of a bike, we can get them back out into the community.”
Bikes in any condition are accepted.
“If we can fix it, we will, and if we can’t, we will use it for parts,” he said.
“It’s a great program because students learn, and at the same time, give back to the community. It is especially great for the little ones who outgrow bikes so fast. We can fix up a bike and get it back out there to someone who needs it, and they can have a bike for the summer.”
Students in Grades 9-12 participate in the Community Bike Program.
“Students learn how to adjust brakes and take a tire on and off the bikes. If your tire falls flat, there’s a cost, and it also takes time for a bike to be serviced. So, students learn these skills,” Ottama said.
“We also do this with lawn mowers, how to sharpen the blade, and how to do an oil change and seasonal tune-up. Students also learn how to change tires on a car and how to do oil changes. These are all great skills to have, and they save money.”
Ottama has been an auto shop program teacher at the school for over 22 years.
Before becoming a teacher, he was a truck mechanic for twenty years.
“I would say about 85 per cent of students who take the course do not want to be mechanics, but they learn basic skills that are transferable in life,” Ottama said.
Students in all grades enjoy taking part in the Community Bike Program.
“Students get right into it and get the bikes going. Watching them ride the little bikes for kids makes for a good laugh, but they have to give them a try. I can’t let them drive a car yet, but they can all ride the bicycles,” Ottama said.
Last year, during COVID-19, Ottama made a special effort to repair as many bikes as he could.
“I still came in because I didn’t want to stay at home. Bikes were just sitting in the shop. We had a dozen bikes sitting there so I came in and finished them so we could get them out for the summer,” Ottama said.
For anyone who has a bike to donate, it can be left at the auto shop behind the JHSS building.
“Another load of bikes just came in. I’ll find more storage if needed. In the winter months, no one donates bikes, so it gives us something to work on during that time and gets us ready for spring again,” Ottama said.
He said the program offers a ‘win-win’ for everybody.
“I get to share some skills and the students learn some new skills. In the end, we can help someone who cannot afford a bike.”
