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Donations purchase helmets and bicycles that volunteers build or tune up before giving them to children. For Every $85 Grassroots Raises, TurningWheels For Kids Can Purchase a Bicycle and Helmet for One Child 

Do you remember your first bike? Was there a moment when that bike did something special or became special? IF you have a story, brief or longer, please submit it. We are considering making a book of first bike stories! We can’t include yours if we don’t know it! When was that moment that you knew a bike was essential or saved your life J! Funny how the stories take on meaning over time!

Is it possible that we are already cruising into Spring?  March is upon us and so much is happening at TurningWheels For Kids . . . already!  Let me give you a quick update!

Did You Know . . .

• The South Hall is coming down in 2013. Yes, I said the South Hall, our Big Bike Build (BBB) home for the past 7 years! So what now? The good news, those most awesome folks at the convention center still want to host the BBB. How cool is that? There are some obstacles to overcome but where there is a will, as they say, there’s a way! Stay tuned. Also if any of you have any other ideas as to venues large enough for all bikes, volunteers, and shear craziness, please speak up.
• To all you most excellent builders, the 20″ Jr Viper that we have built for several years at the BBB will be coming to us without a hand brake. Woo-hoo it will have only coaster brakes! We have listened to you and so has Raleigh!! This bike will be built just for us. An added advantage, besides just being more builder friendly ~ it will be identifiable as a TWFK bike at bike repair clinics! And of course, we are already ordering bikes!!!
• If you haven’t been informed, we are growing! Last year was the first year for the Tri-Valley chapter and they had a banner year distributing 493 bikes their very first year!
• Did you participate in the TWFK golf tourney last year? It was awesome! Stay plugged in and get your foursome registered this fall. We “sold out” of spots last year! We haven’t settled on a date but it has been in October for the past 3 years. More to come.
• My favorite activity, the bike repair clinics, are being scheduled as we speak. Our first one will be held on April 27th, from 9-2 in Hollister. So c’mon out and join us if you can. The address is 649 San Benito St., Hollister, CA. Also there will be 5 other bike repair clinics this year so be sure to watch the website for posting of dates. Each repair clinic generally results in over 100 bikes repaired so thanks to those of you who show up for the difference are making. In case you didn’t do the math thats 600 bikes fixed! It matters to the kids!!
• Our first fundraiser of the year is April 7th with singer/songwriter Kyle Vincent and tickets are a mere $10. If you like pop music, an evening out and supporting TWFK, join us for this fun evening. Check out details on the website, www.turningwheelsforkids.com.
• We were chosen by Groupon.com as a charity they will promote on one of their local 5 day campaigns. We are seeking a matching funder so if you know anyone who could pony up some dollars, we are hoping for $5K, let one of us know. Or maybe 5 of us at $1000 each. I volunteer to be one if there are 4 more out there! Contact me, Sue. And, this will be an opportunity for all of us to make a small donation online that will add up to a BIG amount of money for bikes. We will keep you posted.

With the bike repair clinics right around the corner let me tell you about a little boy at the DPR clinic last summer.  He brought in a pretty “sorry” bike.  He found a guy with some tools that set to making his bike right ~ all of it ~ the flats, the hand brake that didn’t work and some general adjusting.  His bike was repaired and he did what the kids do at the clinics.  He started riding, or better said, zooming around the parking lot and then skidding his bike to “prove” its value!  And then there was a moment.  I was watching him, on the sidelines taking it in.  He was smiling.  Did I say smiling?  He was beyond smiling.  I got it ~ he was so happy, delighted, engaged.  And then it happened.  He skidded to a stop, turned his bike around and began again.  He pedaled, he pedaled faster, and then he pedaled even faster.  As he ZOOMED past me, smile huge, he said to no one in particular, in fact mostly to himself, “WOW, it’s like brand new”!  What we did that day mattered!So get ready, this year is shaping up to be our best year yet.  And why can we do this?  Because WE do this.  Moving forward, think of this year as a year when TWFK is going to get ahead on the dream-making curve.  We want to quit chasing dreams and run fast and furiously ahead of our dreams so we can guarantee that those sweet kid’s lives will be better!  To do that, the bottom line, it takes money and volunteer work effort.  Be that person.  Just say yes to whatever is nudging you.  And don’t be surprised when we nudge you ~ when we ask if you will help.  I want you to know, I am committed to doing my part ~ my part with helping and with my moolah!  I put my money where my mouth is!

So folks, with that said, get ready for a wild ride!

Source: Los Gatos Patch

Robert John Koechlin Jr., aka “Bobby,” died in a bicycle accident Nov. 24 in Truckee in the Lake Tahoe area. That’s when he started his new life in the heavens.

He was born Aug. 24, 1967 in Cincinnati, OH to Sue and Robert J. Koechlin Sr. His childhood was filled with the joy of having three sisters and one brother with many adventures.

He was a graduate of the business school at the University of Florida and married Nilufer J. Koechlin on July 14, 2001 in Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. They have one daughter, Kiana, born Feb. 7, 2008.

He lived in Los Gatos for 13 years and was an avid cyclist and skiier who always wished he had more time for sports and even more time to donate to help others through philanthropic efforts.

He’s survived by his parents and grandmother Rosella Walsh of Springfield, OH as well as his siblings Kathleen Koechlin, Mary Cammarota, Carolyn Homer and Matt Koechlin.

He had many friends and a dog he loved named Picabo, who always made him take him to pee right after he sat to have his scotch!

Anyone would tell you he was an incredibly happy person that lived life to its fullest by doing the things he loved most: playing endless hours with his daughter and wife, cycling, skiing, spending time in Lake Tahoe, hanging out with friends having great conversations, drinking his scotch and an occasional cigar, and generally being silly and happy without taking life too seriously.

He cared about humanity and making the world a better place in any way possible.

In his memory and celebration of his life, you may donate to local charities of his choice by going to his memorial registry on the justgive.org website.

We wish him a happy life on his bright star in the heavens.

We wanted to share a special thank you note from Family and Children Services. Download the PDF which includes photographs and testimonials!

Thank you for the tremendous gift of 61 new bicycles, which we distributed to 61 children, youth, and teens whose families were not able to provide bicycles for their children. The bicycles were distributed at holiday gatherings presented by our Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program and Families and Schools Together (FAST) Program, when children came for their counseling sessions, or by Santa Claus (aka parents/caregivers who picked up the bicycles to hide them until their holiday time observance). READ MORE

Internationally touring recording artist and singer-songwriter Kyle Vincent will present a solo acoustic concert as a benefit for the Tri-Valley chapter of Turning Wheels for Kids on Sunday, April 7, at 4 p.m.

A native of Berkeley, CA, currently residing in New England, Kyle frequently tours in England, Japan, and throughout the United States. Kyle has had a Billboard charting single, had his songs in movies, on T.V., and released 10 albums.  This very special concert will be part of his current West Coast mini tour.

Kyle began his musical journey playing alto saxophone in the renowned Berkeley schools jazz program. He was the opening act for Barry Manilow’s entire Greatest Hits tour, had a stint as lead singer for The Bay City Rollers, and has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the music business. Kyle’s environmental call-to-arms, “Sierra” was adopted by the Sierra Club, John Denver’s Windstar Foundation, and UNESCO’s New Songs For Peace. He has also performed the National Anthem at several San Francisco Giants games!

The Tri-Valley Chapter of Turning Wheels for Kids is in its second year of raising funds to purchase, assemble, and donate bicycles to underprivileged children who would otherwise not have a bike.  This past December, the Tri-Valley Chapter provided nearly 500 new bikes to children in the Tri-Valley and Hayward/Castro Valley Areas, as well as putting on a free bike repair day for children in Livermore, and looks to increase its contributions to the community.

Last fall, Kyle was considering performing as part of the concert series of First Presbyterian Church of Livermore.  In looking at various charities the church works with, Kyle recognized that he shares a common interest in bikes and kids with Turning Wheels for Kids, and he immediately knew he wanted to have all proceeds of his concert benefit TWFK.  “Putting it simply, I think every kid should have a bike. There really should be a law!” said Kyle.

This afternoon of music will be held in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, corner of 4^th and L Streets, Livermore, at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, April 7, 2013.  The free will donations will benefit the Tri-Valley Chapter of Turning Wheels for kids, suggested minimum donation $10, $5 for students and children, and $25 for a family.

An Afternoon with Singer-Songwriter Kyle Vincent, April 7, 4pm – a benefit concert for Turning Wheels For Kids

In this solo acoustic show, Kyle will tell stories and sing songs on the guitar and piano about life, love, and the world around us. Kyle is a Contemporary singer-songwriter whose influences are based in 60′s and 70′s pop, rock & soul. A native of Berkeley, CA, residing outside Amherst, MA, Kyle is a former Hollywood Records recording artist with a Billboard and R&R Top 20 Adult Contemporary hit, who frequently tours inEngland, Japan, and throughout the United States. Note: Suggested minimum donation of $10 per person, $5 for children/students, and $25 for a family. **
Check out www.kylevincent.com  for more info!

Source: huffingtonpost.com

There was a time when I believed that it was the movers and shakers that could make a difference. It was the people who could do something grand, big, important — those were the people who could make a difference that mattered and was notable. And that wasn’t me!

And then one day, a light went on. I woke up in a heat controlled house, with a closet full of clothes, food in the fridge, a car to take me to my sweet job and money in my pocket. And I realized, I can make a difference! I may not be able to do something grand, big, important by the worlds standards but I can react, behave and, most importantly, share, in a way that creates a positive outcome for someone else — someone besides me, myself and I!

While I and my many friends have been building TurningWheels For Kids, I have learned something so valuable. The low-income, disadvantaged children we serve live within families that are challenged — financially and emotionally! There are stories, some heartbreaking! And a simple gift, a rite-of-passage, number one requested and dreamed about gift, a bike, was out of reach for these kids! Or is it?

One little boy, when given the opportunity, when asked to dream big, his eyes briefly glistened, a smile started and then, just as quickly that light faded, he shut down and he didn’t dare utter what he really wanted, a bike! It was entirely too risky! That moment broke my heart! He didn’t even dare to dream!

And then I started thinking — we all have a priceless opportunity! We spend money without even thinking — $5 for a latte, $2 for our favorite candy bar, $3 for a frozen yogurt or ice cream cone, out to lunch with our friends, $15. And then I did the math! For $9 a month for one short year, money I will not miss, I can provide a bike and a helmet through TurningWheels For Kids for a local kid! That’s $.30 a day. Thirty CENTS! Can you do it? Can you step up and make a dream come true for a kid that is afraid to even dream? Just say yes! Because…

What You Do Matters!

As the holidays draw close, there are children fretting over what they are going to say when someone asks the inevitable question, “What did you get for Christmas”? What if the honest answer is nothing? Right now, today, what you choose, yes, choose to do matters a lot to a child near you. Today you have an opportunity to become a mover and shaker, maybe not by the worlds standards but certainly in the eyes of a local little girl or little boy. Are you up for the challenge? Opt in, right now, to become the person who makes a dream come true for a child that is afraid to even dream! Those kids are out there and I think those kids are worth it. Do you? Light up a child’s world right now, this holiday season! Your kindness is not insignificant!

click here to watch video

Everybody remembers their first bicycle – from the way it gleaned in the sun, the first fall when learning to ride and, finally, the triumphant feel of riding on your own. Receiving that first set of wheels is often your first taste of freedom.

“My first bike was blue with yellow wheels,” said 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. “That was the bike I started learning how to ride a bike on, and I just remember crashing a lot back in Turlock where I grew up.”

Kaepernick, along with a dozen other 49ers players took a ride down memory lane on Monday morning as they helped assemble 49 brand new bikes for underprivileged boys and girls and foster children in the Bay Area.

“We are building bikes at our annual Holiday Bike Build with UnitedHealthcare, TurningWheels for Kids, and PODS,” said Maggie Cuneo from 49ers Community Relations. “Tomorrow we’ll be revealing 49 bikes to the Bill Wilson Center’s foster care program and Quetzal House. All of these bikes are going to children who may not have ever owned a bike before and have never even ridden one. They lead itinerant lives and now they’re going to have something to call their own and take wherever they may go.” [read more]