Our Origin Story - Blue Hannon, Executive Director

Welcome to the first edition of the Monthly Spin our newsletter designed to keep volunteers and friends of Wheels For Workers 716 informed of what's happening with our organization! Our story is a remarkable example of how a group of caring people in the community can come together to help those in need.

I sold my business and retired in 2022. While meeting with Pastor Steve Biegner of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Eggertsville, I sought his counsel on my next chapter in life. He challenged me to think about what I was passionate about. I have been working on bikes since I was a teenager and have always been passionate about helping others so that made sense to me.

In March of 2022 Pastor Steve and I met with Andy Cammarata of Journey's End. I had fixed bikes for employees I hired from Journey's End so they could get back and forth to work and wanted to see if there was a greater need for this type of service. It turns out there was.

The following month, a group of volunteers came together to hash out a plan to receive donated bikes, fix them up and get them to refugees and others in need. Some folks had already been doing similar things around the community so their expertise was extremely helpful as we built our program together. We will talk more about these great volunteers every month in the volunteer profile section of this newsletter.

In the first year, we worked out of an old red shed in the back of St. Paul's and most work was done in volunteers homes. In 2022 we donated 670 bikes. In 2023 we donated 1,400 bikes and in 2024 we donated 1,800!

We now have a place to work called the Wheelhouse in the back of the Church thanks to M&T Bank and we also have a showroom to store bikes. Each of our clients receives a a helmet and lock thanks to the generosity of West Herr Auto Group.

I am so proud of our all-volunteer organization! With so much going on in the world, it may difficult to know how to help. I know that I can get up everyday and fix a bike and help one of my neighbors. I encourage you to join us and volunteer for a great cause!

John "Blue" Hannon

Love & Sprockets Swap Meet/Meet and Greet

This years Love & Sprockets Swap Meet/Meet and Greet is back and bigger and better for 2025! This years swap meet will take place at Buffalo River Works. Have an old bike you need to sell? Bring it in! Want to get a new ride or start cycling and don’t want to brake the bank? This is your chance! Joining us again will be Tom’s Pro Bike and Campus Wheelworks. All proceeds will benefit Wheels for Workers 716. In addition, we will also be selling bikes at the event.

Mechanic Training with Master Mechanic Anthony Chungbin

Join us most Thursdays as our Master Mechanic Anthony Chungbin provides training on how to fix bicycles. Anthony does an excellent job meeting participants where they are with their mechanical ability. He provides practical training that you can use to help yourself and Wheels For Workers 716. Please check out our Facebook Page to see the schedule of trainings and topics for the week.