For most people, having things stolen feels like an offence. Robbie Pruitt admitted that he got 1 when he discovered the theft of his mountain bike last September. But soon enough, his 2 took a turn. After letting go of his anger and frustration, he found himself on a road to sympathy 3.
For Pruitt, a keen bicyclist, the first thing to do was 4 his stolen bike. But when he went bike shopping, he found few available, which got him thinking: What if the 5 of bikes was Covid-19 related, and what if the person who'd taken his bike really needed 6 to get to work?
With that thought in mind, Pruitt 7 a plan and posted it on the community website. He 8 to fix bikes free of charge for anyone who needed it. He also asked for unwanted bikes, which he would repair—again 9. And then he would donate them to folks who could truly use them but didn't have the 10 to buy one.
The day the post went live, Pruitt received thirty 11 bicycles. Then came more than 500 12 for detailed information. By the end of 2020, Pruitt had repaired more than 140 for donation or to be
13 to their owners.
Pruitt tries to give his donations to families that are 14 struggling. 15 simply satisfying a material need, he has provided an opportunity for kids in his neighborhood to learn how to fix their own bikes.
In addition to 16 skills, Pruitt's lessons teach teamwork, encourage self-worth, and promote feelings of community. 17, the kids have gained a sense of accomplishment.
"It's a really great 18 for kids," said a neighbor in an interview with the local newspaper. "Pruitt is certainly providing a 19, but it's not just the bikes. It's the relationships in the community. It's the 20 he can make on people. "
