A VISION BECOMES A MISSION

Posted March 28, 2023

On Wednesday, June 21 of 2017, Glen Sanders and his 18 year-old son, Cordell, packed up 112 bicycles in two 10 foot U-Hauls. Rich Gigliotti and Adam Swarts, also of Calvin Church in Zelienople, joined them as they set off on a 1300 mile trip to South Dakota. Twenty hours later they arrived in the village of Wanblee located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Ten years after their first trip to South Dakota, Glen and Cordell were finally seeing the culmination of a vision that started with a car that refused to start.

Back in 2007, this father and son had set out on a bonding vacation that had no plan except to see Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument in South Dakota. When they arrived, they set up camp and played the tourist by panning for gold at a gold mine. As they were ready to head back to their campsite, the car wouldn’t start. Thankfully, Glen was able to make contact with an old college friend, Adrianne, who met them at the gold mine and drove them to Rapid City where the car had been towed for repair.

Adrianne had been married to a Lakota man who grew up on Pine Ridge Reservation. Adrianne was running a nonprofit that provides Christmas gifts and meals to the Lakota people. Glen was eager to learn more. Days later, after the car was finally repaired, Glen and Cordell needed to return home. Before they left Glen asked if there was anything more that the Lakota people needed that they couldn’t provide through the nonprofit. He was told they need bicycles. Adults can use bikes to travel to and from the ranches where they are employed. Without transportation, residents of the reservation have a hard time staying employed and the nearest convenient store, offering basic necessities, is a mile away. Also, bikes provide healthy recreation, socialization and enjoyment for children.

During the return trip, Glen had a lot of time to think about all he had learned and that unique need for bicycles. Over the years whenever his son outgrew a bike, they would take a walk on garbage night. There was no problem finding a bike Cordell liked within two blocks of their home. Glen would make the necessary repairs—a new inner tube or brake pads—and Cordell had a new bike. Glen thought if we throw away so many bikes in our community, why not collect them and take them out to the reservation? Glen called his friend, Adrianne, in South Dakota and was given the name of Ari Rooks. He and Ari started a conversation that would put the wheels into motion but with many obstacles yet to overcome.

Glen figured this would be a great project for the boys at George Junior Republic in Grove City, the school where he is on staff as fine arts director. And certainly his church, Calvin, would see it as a great opportunity for mission. He pitched his idea and both groups agreed it was an interesting project, but politely declined getting involved. Glen had to tell Ari that there would be no bikes arriving anytime soon.

Then Glen discovered that Robert Stubenbort, a member at Calvin, was involved in raising money to fabricate special needs bikes. Glen eagerly shared his idea of providing bikes for Pine Ridge Reservations with Robert. It was quite a while later that Robert got back to Glen saying that he felt Calvin Church should reconsider taking up this cause. Glen again approached George Junior Republic and they agreed to get involved as long as the activity occurred off campus.

Glen had created a piece of artwork for the rails to trails project in Greenville, PA. Glen’s contact person was Fred Kiser who is a member of the Mercer Bike Association. Fred invited Glen to pitch his idea to the association and he got a positive response. They would help support the repairing and delivering of bikes to the Lakota people. All they needed was a place to repair and store the bikes. Glen approached a new business, Sweet Jeanie’s, in Grove City and was given permission to use their very large basement.