“Changing the life of a child one bike at a time”
A very important Flourish guiding principle is to “promote a culture of acceptance and kindness where all are made to feel welcome, safe, and appreciated.” We can find no better example of this principle in action than the success of Fountain Hills nonprofit, Bob’s Free Bikes.
Walk through the door of Bob’s Free Bikes and you are immediately facing a giant whiteboard. The numbers you’ll see tell the story of how this all-volunteer organization has delivered on its commitment to change the lives of children. From 2016 through the present, Bob’s has donated more than 6,000 bikes to children in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Bob’s is on pace to break that record this year, but only if it can find a new space to house its charitable, life-changing enterprise. If a new location cannot be found in the near future, the wishes of thousands of kids for a “new” bike will not be fulfilled.
For several years Bob’s has been working out of 7,500 square feet of leased space in the building that once housed Four Peaks Elementary School. Due to the impending sale of the building, by the Fountain Hills Unified School District (FHUSD), Bob’s has been searching for new space that is both suitable and affordable. Recently, Bob’s thought they had reached an agreement to lease new space but at the last minute, the owner decided to sell the building. As a result, Bob’s is once again looking for a new home – and time is running out.
It was 2016 when Fountain Hills resident Bob Mandel began refurbishing bikes to give to kids in need. At the start, he worked out of his garage. Initially, his goal was to complete one bike a week, 52 bikes a year. Bob’s operations quickly outgrew his garage. Last year, Bob’s delivered 1,158 bikes to new owners. With needed space, that record will be broken this year. Through the end of May, Bob’s has delivered 730 bikes, and has 215 in its inventory.
Bob’s will provide a bike to any child under 18 who lives in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area. Bob’s does more than donate like new bikes to young riders, it also provides them with a helmet and bike lock. Not only that, the joyful recipients and their families know that their bikes come from the Fountain Hills organization. What a great demonstration of the Fountain Hills culture of kindness!
The path to a new bike begins by entering Bob’s “Request a Bike” portal on its website: https://www.bobsfreebikes.org. After the request is submitted, it generally takes only two to three weeks for the bike to arrive at its destination.
No child has ever been turned away, though they may need to be patient. When there are more than 100 pending requests Bob’s will temporarily suspend accepting new requests, placing the child’s name on a waiting list. Over the years Bob’s has largely been able to keep up with the demand and has only been required to use the waiting list on three occasions in the past year.
Bob’s does more that fulfill requests through its “Request a Bike Portal”. Bob’s is currently refurbishing 52 bikes to be donated to Operation Warmheart, an Airman supported program at Luke Airforce Base that provides assistance (in the form of groceries and gifts) to other Airmen and their families during the holidays. Recently, Bob’s donated 29 bikes to a micro-school in downtown Phoenix and provided bikes for the nine students who received the “Excellent Student” designation in grades K-8 at Arroyo School in Glendale.
Bob would not have been able to fulfill its founder’s mission without the support of more than 30 dedicated volunteers who pick up, refurbish and deliver bikes. No prior experience or expertise in bike repair is required to volunteer. Volunteer training is provided for aspiring bike mechanics. Volunteer drivers with vehicles large enough to hold bikes are also needed to pick up donated bikes and deliver them to their eager new owners.
Bob Mandel died just over a year ago, on May 29, 2023. Today, Bob’s operations are overseen by a five-person board of directors: Brian Martin, Chairman; Jay Turberville, Secretary; Robyn Heimbuch, Treasurer; Mark Jordan, Operations Manager; and Walter Heimbuch and Bruce Nagel, Members at Large. The board is committed to keeping Bob’s vision alive, but to do that they need our help.
Can you help Bob’s Free Bikes find a new home in Fountain Hills?
Are you aware of any leasable space in Fountain Hills that is at least 2,700 square feet and could be configured (by a team of creative volunteers) to house Bob’s operations? If so, please call Robyn Heimbuch at the number below.
You can also help Bob’s Free Bikes stay alive with a donation.
The transition to new space will require expenditures beyond what is currently available in Bob’s annual operating budget. As a 501 (c)(3) organization, monetary contributions, as well as the value of donated bikes, are tax-deductible.
You can help Bob’s Free Bikes to change “the life of a child one bike at a time. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
Bob’s Free Bikes
Hours: 12 PM – 4 PM Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
Telephone: 480-226-1357
Mail Donations to:
Bob’s Free Bikes
13771 Fountain Hills Blvd., Suite 114156
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
