Written by Alex on February 10, 2022/Park Tool News
Park Tool Announces Winners of 2022 Community Tool Grants
Park Tool Company is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Community Tool Grants. For the seventh consecutive year, the company is awarding bicycle-related nonprofit programs with shop quality tools and repair stands. This year, due to overwhelming response, the Community Tool Grant has been expanded from ten to twelve winners. These Tool Grants will help these organizations expand and improve programs that are already making a huge difference in their communities.
“We had an amazing response this year, with over 450 applicants from all over the world, and so we felt it was only right to expand the program this year.” said Eric Hawkins, Park Tool’s president/owner and chief mechanic. “As interest in cycling continues to grow, and the world continues to feel the effects of the uncertainty of the past two years, we’re proud to help these twelve organizations by providing them with the tools and equipment they need in order to meet the needs of the communities they serve.”
Each of the twelve grant recipients will receive over $1,800 in Park Tool products including:
- 1 Park Tool PK-5 Professional Mechanic Tool Kit
- 2 Park Tool PCS-10.3 Portable Repair Stands
- 5 Park Tool SA-1 Shop Aprons
- 1 Park Tool BBB-4 Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair
The 2022 Park Tool Community Tool Grant Winners are:
BCSicletos Colectivo de Ciclismo Urbano AC — La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
“BCSicletos, located in La Paz, Mexico, is an organization that has found in the bicycle a tool for social transformation, giving many people the opportunity to emancipate themselves from the system by riding on two wheels We are convinced that freedom is lived through cycling through our neighborhoods, connecting from the streets and taking advantage of the momentum to transform them for the benefit of all people”
Bike East Bay — Oakland, California
“Bike East Bay promotes healthy, sustainable communities with fun bike events, classes, and community organizing. Since 2011 their award-winning Education Program has provided over 1,200 free workshops to more than 23,000 adult and youth attendees throughout the two counties east of San Francisco”
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“Since 1997, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee’s B!ke Shop program (BGC B!ke) has helped youth ages 14-21 develop skills in bike mechanics through hands-on training, career development, and a 6-month paid internship. BGC B!ke also serves as a community bike shop for the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee, where community members can visit our shop and receive low/no-cost bike repairs. Through programs like BGC B!ke, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee serves youth by providing safe spaces, impactful programs, nutritious meals, and key resources to help them achieve academic success, make healthy life choices, and reach their full potential.”
Center of Southwest Culture Story Riders Program — Albuquerque, New Mexico
“Story Riders empowers children and youth of color to reconnect with our natural and cultural heritage, while providing practical training in bicycle safety, maintenance, and guided cycling experiences in which participants explore local stories and spaces.”
Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association — Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada
“Kootenay Adaptive is a world leader in adaptive mountain biking instruction, advocacy, trails and events. Based in British Columbia Canada, KASA provides resources and education across North America in order to grow adaptive mountain biking sport and access to recreation for persons with disabilities”
Open Roads Bike Program — Kalamazoo, Michigan
“Open Roads is a youth development program in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We provide job skill training, apprenticeships, bike repair services, and more to youth in the Kalamazoo community. Throughout the year we run a wide-variety of programs designed to provide bikes and bike repair services to students for low or no-cost”
Pedal it Forward — Rogers, Arkansas
“At Pedal It Forward we collect used bikes, fix them, then distribute to those in need through our 60+ Pedal Partners. We serve rural and urban low-income kids, adults and families, at-risk youth, minority and immigrant populations in Northwest Arkansas”
Project Echelon — Tucson, Arizona
“Project Echelon educates, equips and empowers veterans through physical activity. As an organization, Project Echelon removes the barriers to healing by fostering relationships between veterans, their communities, and professional athletes through mentorship, structure, and the promotion of long term health and wellbeing through endurance sport”
Rich City Rides — Richmond, California
“Rich City Rides (RCR) is a non-profit bicycle advocacy organization that seeks to make Richmond California a healthier city where our youth and families can thrive. Peace love and pedals until Milliways!”
South Bend Bike Garage — South Bend, Indiana
“Bike Coop in South Bend, IN staffed entirely by volunteers providing opportunities for people to learn how to:
- Fix their bike from experienced mechanics
- Earn a bike by volunteering
- Buy a restored bicycle which was donated”
Twist And Shout School of Performing Arts — Chicago, Illinois
“Twist and Shout works with underserved Chicago public schools by providing after school programs in chess, the arts and sports.”
Wellness on Wheels — Houston, Texas
“The WOW program is focused on serving students dealing with mental health challenges, with conventional and adventure therapy through cycling and self care”