The Squamish Helping Hands Society is expanding its suite of community services to include Recycle Bicycle Program which will become Helping Hands’ newest social enterprise. It is aimed at giving new life to used bicycles and donating them to people who cannot afford to purchase one. 
“Bicycle ownership can make a big difference for those who don’t have access to transportation,” said Rick McKinney, Senior Manager at Squamish Helping Hands Society who will be the team lead for the Recycle Bicycle Program. “Often this can bring a sense of freedom and self-worth to those in the community with very little.”
The program was founded and launched in 2007 by John French, who is now taking on other community projects. Since the inception of Recycle Bicycle hundreds of bikes have been donated to the initiative then given to those in need of a bicycle. Recycling at its finest!
“It has been an honour for me to contribute to the community through the operation of Recycle Bicycle,” said John. “The generosity of bike riders in Squamish ensured this program’s success and I am now looking forward to supporting Rick and Helping Hands in taking the program to new heights of effectiveness as the cost of housing continues to rise in our community.”
This will be the second social enterprise initiative launched recently by Squamish Helping Hands Society . In the fall of 2015, the team opened the Helping Hands Coffee Cart at Brennan Park offering healthy hand-made food, priced to accommodate everyone in our community. The cart provides job training and connection with the community, and Recycle Bicycle will continue and expand these benefits.
For more information about the Recycle Bicycle Program, visit the Facebook page. Bike donations will be accepted by Squamish Helping Hands Society at 37930 Third Avenue.
