Non-Profit Volunteer Bike Shop Celebrates 13 years with Rededication Ceremony
illi News/10331766

CHICAGO - illiNews -- Working Bikes donates over 1,000 bicycles locally every year, each built up in Brandon's Bike Shop, their volunteer mechanic space. Brandon's was founded 13 years ago in honor of Brandon Bernier, a volunteer at WB who passed away suddenly in 2013. Thanks to the generosity of his family, Working Bikes was able to add 9 work benches to their volunteer space, greatly increasing the amount of bikes volunteers are able to refurbish and donate to people in need. Brandon was known to say "Bring good people together and they will know what to do" and that spirit lives on everyday in the shop.

Every bike Working Bikes donate locally through their Cycle of Power program is possible because of their volunteers. Volunteer mechanics build up the bikes Working Bikes receives from donations, spending around 4-5 hours on each bicycle. In 2013 with the founding of Brandon's Volunteer shop, Working Bikes broke their record with 681 local donations. In recent years volunteers nearly crank out double that amount. Brandon's has allowed them to create a welcoming space for individual volunteers, but also helps them support some great programs such as their Community Mechanic Training Program. Working Bikes trained up future bike mechanics, focused specifically on folks who have barriers to employment and historical underrepresentation in the bicycle industry. They also host interns and have worked with READI to create safer communities and more opportunities for the people most impacted by gun violence.

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To make room for a new accessible ramp entrance, Brandon's shop has moved to the eastern facing wall of the building. Working Bikes will be having a rededication ceremony to celebrate the 13 year anniversary with Carol and Joe Bernier, Brandon's parents on May 8th from 4pm-6pm at their warehouse on 2434 S. Western Ave. Working Bikes has invited their community to join them and celebrate his life and his work.

Learn more about their work at http://workingbikes.org