Nova Scotia man collects, repairs broken bicycles to give back to kids in the community
A Nova Scotia man is helping his community by collecting and repairing broken bicycles for kids.
Jon Keachie says it all began seven years ago when the United Way was looking for volunteers for their Bikes for Kids program.
"So, I went out one night to see what it was like and it was actually enjoyable," said Keachie.
According to Keachie, the program was cancelled two years ago after the organization had trouble finding a coordinator. That's when he decided to take things into his own hands.
"I had some bikes of my own and the first year it was just word-of-mouth through some of the local police departments and stuff I contacted. You know, ‘You got a child that had his bike stolen or something let me know,' and I think I only gave out maybe a dozen," said Keachie.
In 2020, Keachie decided to grow his efforts and started a Facebook page to spread the word.
"It's taken off ever since then," he said.
Keachie says he gave out 79 bikes in 2020. So far this year, he has given away 141 bicycles.
"Some come to me and they're quick fixes, maybe half-an-hour, I'll go over them, check them, the odd part," explained Keachie. "Some bikes I've seen me spend over four hours."
During the first couple of years, Keachie says it was a lot of out-of-pocket expenses in order to keep his program running.
"I don't have a lot of money. I drive an 18 year old car that's ready to fall apart," laughed Keachie.
Once the word began to spread on social media, old bikes, parts, and donations started rolling in to help Keachie's cause. So far this year, he believes he has received over $1,500 in donations.
When asked why he does the work, Keachie says memories from his own childhood inspire him to give back.
"When I was younger, I had a bike and I had a friend that didn't have a bike. So, when I wasn't riding, I let him use mine and he was really happy about it," said Keachie. "When you're a child, you're only a child for a quarter of your life and, to me, every child should know the freedom of having a bicycle."
Keachie's wife says she couldn't be more proud.
"For the kids, and even for our own kids, they're seeing his work ethic and how important it is to give back," said Maggie Keachie.
In the end, Keachie says it’s the smiles on people's faces that keep him going.
"The families are thankful. The children are really happy," said Keachie. "When you see them come down, and you see their face lights up as soon as the minute I say, 'Well, here. It's yours. Take it home.' You know, they're so excited."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.