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Bellbrook Couple Fix, Give Away Kids' Bikes

Posted on: Friday, 29 April 2005, 00:00 CDT

BELLBROOK -- Nick and Karla Tumbleson of Bellbrook are retired seniors who are just not tired.

Every Wednesday, 68-yearold "Grandma Karla," as kids in the neighborhood fondly call her, searches local thrift stores for bikes. Her 67-year-old husband, Nick, then repairs these bikes so the couple can give them to local kids without wheels.

In the last year, the Tumblesons have bought, repaired and given away more than 50 bikes to kids in their Bayberry Cove apartment in Bellbrook and the surrounding area.

"We started with three bicycles. It was Karla's idea ... there were so many kids in the neighborhood without bikes," Nick said. "Karla, who likes to go to thrift stores, bought some bikes. I fixed them up, and we put up flyers for kids to come pick them up for free. It was as simple as that."

Sadly, a few eyebrows were raised when the Tumblesons started giving away these 12- and 24-inch bicycles.

"Some parents would not allow their kids to take the bikes or come near us. Some thought we were predators, some kids actually returned the bikes," he said. "We were, however, encouraged by the fact that other kids came with their parents, had a chat with us and kept the bikes."

Anxious to ease the minds of concerned parents about their motives for giving away the bicycles, the Tumblesons sought and got clearance from the Sugarcreek Twp. Police Department.

Karla said many of the families in their neighborhood are lower income and can't afford to buy bicycles for their children.

"They appreciated what we

"They appreciated what we were doing but wanted to be sure that their kids were safe. That was reasonable, so we got police clearance," Karla said.

Sugarcreek Lt. Martin D. Jones signed a letter in October identifying the Tumblesons as a "retired couple performing a valuable service for the underprivileged of Sugarcreek Twp."

The letter further stated that the service provided by the Tumblesons was normally done in conjunction with the Bellbrook Sugarcreek Family Resource Center. The individuals who had been providing the same service had moved out of the state.

Once people were convinced the couple's motives were sincere, their 4476 Bayberry Cove apartment became the new Mecca for kids looking to pick up free bikes.

"We had so many kids coming for free bikes, the apartment could not take them. Soon, our garage became a bicycle repair shop and more kids came," Karla said. "I offer them candy and cold drinks and it's like family."

When the Family Resource Center, which organizes a kids club on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bayberry Cove apartment complex, got wind of the Tumblesons' bicycle give away, it was a perfect match.

Center spokeswoman Susan Lopez explained that the center is dedicated, among other things, to strengthening the community and families through information and referral services, collaborative program planning and youth asset building.

"We assist community members in meeting their needs by matching them to services and to opportunities for utilizing their skills to contribute to the community. The Tumblesons were providing a community service for the kids and it was inevitable that we collaborate," Lopez said.

The Bellbrook United Methodist church, where the Tumblesons are members, has also embraced the bicycle giveaway.

The Rev. Terry Heck, the pastor, said the church has set aside a budget for more thrift store bikes and is also collecting donations for the project.

"What the Tumblesons are doing shows that others care besides the immediate family. We can be family together in our community. As a church, we are a caring fellowship of believers committed to helping people connect with God, each other and the world around them. We are proud of what the Tumblesons are doing in this community," Heck said.

Vicki Bartlett, the assistant leasing manager for Bayberry Cove, said an empty garage in the complex has been made available for the Tumblesons and the project.

"We support what they are doing. We, however, ask that the bikes are not left all over the place but that the children be responsible for them," Bartlett said.

So what is so fulfilling about what the Tumblesons are doing?

"What is not so fulfilling?" Nick asked. "The smiles on those kids' face as they pick up the bikes, that is fulfilling for me."

His wife has a different answer.

"When all you have is time ... like we do, then you have to think of something useful to do with your time. For me, this bicycle give- away project for the kids is time well spent."

To make bicycle or monetary donations to the Bellbrook Kids Bike Giveaway, contact the following: Nick and Karla Tumbleson at 848- 3906; Susan Lopez of the Bellbrook Sugarcreek Family Resource Center at 848-3810; or the Rev. Terry Heck Bellbrook of United Methodist Church at 848-2909.

Source: Dayton Daily News

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