North High Students partner with community bike program for Read Elementary School giveaway

Caden Ames and Seamus Rutkowski, two juniors in the Communities Program at Oshkosh North High School, will host a Community Bike Program event at Algoma United Methodist Church on May 13 starting at approximately 2:45 pm.

Around 30 bikes will be distributed to students from Read Elementary School in Oshkosh. Organizers plan to start lining the bikes up in the parking lot by 1 pm. The students have organized this event to increase mobility and promote outdoor activity for local youth. By connecting families with the resources of the Oshkosh Community Bike Center, the project aims to ensure that more people in the area have access to safe,
reliable transportation, and learn the joy of cycling.
Ames explained, “I have enjoyed getting to learn how to work on bikes knowing that what I’m doing is going to make a difference.”

Both juniors have spent every Wednesday since the start of April going to the bike center helping refurbish bikes for this event and subsequent bike distributions. Ames and Rutkowski have worked with Steve Sagmeister, founder of the bike program, alongside other volunteers to coordinate the event.
The Oshkosh Community Bike Center has been in operation since 2009. They have distributed 4,000-5,000 bikes over the years. Sagmeister said, “Our mission is to provide transportation to those that are in need or can’t afford it. This provides them with transportation to get to work and
school appointments. It helps to fill basic needs.”

If you have a bike to donate, they can br dropped near Arts for Kids on
400 City Center in Oshkosh. Look for a Community Bike Program sign on nearby Pearl Street.