BMXers Jump in to Help Joplin Kids

Over the past two years, East Moline BMX local, Nick Ziegler has been following a passion: to get BMX bikes under kids who can’t afford them.

The idea sprang out of a promotion he ran on VintageBMX.com for Standard Bykes in the summer of 2009. The promotion was entitled “BUILD YOUR DREAM FRAME,” and members were challenged to sketch out their ultimate frame design, and the ONE entry chosen would be built by Standard’s custom shop, and presented to the lucky winner.

There was one restriction for the contest: it was open only to VBMX Site Supporters (a $35 annual donation). In a recent interview with “News,” Nick said: ” I had people emailing and posting they wanted to do the contest and wanted to win the bike because the couldn’t afford to buy one. So after some discussion with friends, we decided to put some old bikes together and give them to people who could not afford them…then we tweaked the program to be “kids only,” and formally started the ‘The Midwest BMX Donation Program’.”

Today, the group is a fully-functioning nonprofit, which has donated nearly 60 bikes to kids all over the country, and has attracted support from BMX industry players like SE Bikes, DK, Porkchop BMX, Odyssey, local shop BikeOne in Moline (IL) and, of course, hometown hero Rick Moliterno at Standard.

When Joplin, MO suffered a direct-hit from an EF-5 tornado on May 22, Nick and his crew knew they had to get involved in helping the community’s kids get some normalcy back into their daily lives.

“Bikes bring smiles to faces young and old, so we held a bike drive. NEW department-store-bought boys and girls bikes, sizes 12-20 inch. Choosing this format, over our normal method of building bikes from parts would allow more people to get involved, as these bikes could be had from Walmart for $39-70 each. It would also allow us to get the bikes to Joplin in time for the kids there to enjoy them this summer.”

But Nick and his team ran into resistance from an unlikely source: the very agencies on the ground in Joplin helping in the relief efforts.

“I called the Red Cross, and they turned down the bike donations. They wanted financial donations instead. I called the United Way, and was met with the same thing. I contacted Joplin Chamber of Commerce, and they told me to look at restorejoplin.org for someone who would take my bikes. I didnt think it would be so hard to give away 14 brand-new bikes, but it was.”

Nick was becoming discouraged, then a surprise phone call re-ignited the excitement

“I got an email saying 4state Trucks was going to swing by, pick up the bikes, and give them out to families in Joplin for us (Editor’s note: 4State is based in Joplin). And who should show up, but the original (CMT) “Trick My Truck” cast; the “Chrome Shop Mafia!” There are only two of the original guys left–the others moved on, but these “Real McCoys” stayed on, to work for the American trucker. We had alot of fun during their visit, talking bikes and trucks and, of course, about the situation in Joplin and how bad it was down there. Then, they loaded up the bikes, and hit the road.

We didn’t think we were going to get the bikes to Joplin, but in the long run it all happened for the best. Since I work in the trucking industry, it was a honor to meet and work with these guys…and it was all-the-better that they were from Joplin, and could bring some two-wheeled happiness to their town.”

As a final question, News asked Nick “Who do you hope these bikes will help?”

“The bikes will hopefully go boys and girls who lost everything and need a smile and something to cheer them up. It may not be money, or a new house, but it is something that should help things get back to normal. It is such a bad story down in Joplin– they need more help. If I knew I could get another 14 bikes I would do another bike drive to get them some..”

Then, Nick adds: “OK, who is in and wants to gather up some more bikes?”

If there is something you want to do to help Nick and his program, contact him using the information below:

NICK ZIEGLER
MIDWEST BMX DONATION PROGRAM
1620 20TH AVE
MOLINE IL 61265
A100DORK3@YAHOO.COM
563-508-0908

Postscript:
Nick asked if we could acknowledge the team behind the Midwest BMX Donation Program. It would be our pleasure.

Jeff Ziegler- Master Tech
Ron Anderson- Master Tech
Kristen Ziegler- Photography & PR

Editor’s note: And, of course, Nick Ziegler- Founder