Bikes donated to homeless veterans at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Students in the W.E. Sears Youth Center’s “Genesis Group” joined with center staff to offer a special gift to homeless and at-risk veterans in the southern Missouri and northeast Arkansas region this season.

“It started when the Sikeston Police Department donated a number of used bikes to the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center,” explained VA Peer Support Specialist, John Cornelius. “I was working on repairing the bicycles so we could distribute them, when I was contacted by Brad Peters, with the Sears Youth Center. He said the students were interested in refurbishing the bikes as a service project.”

Peters is a former Marine. 

“It was personal for Brad,” says Sears Youth Center’s Manager, Brian Hicks. “He wanted to help other veterans.”

Assistant manager, Michael Burchard, and outdoor recreation counselor, Bill Wagner (also a veteran), readily joined Peters and Hicks in supporting the Genesis Group students as they took on the project.

Soon, it wasn’t just used bicycles the students decided to donate – they began a fundraising project to purchase new bikes as well.  Organizing a rigorous physical challenge, the students raised money by biking a 40-mile course.  They also set up a “road block” in Poplar Bluff at a main intersection, collecting donations to purchase new bikes.

“The kids deserve all the credit,” Hicks said.  “They did all the work.” 

Hicks and Burchard explained that when they went to purchase the new bikes, Academy Sports provided them at a significant discount, upon learning the reason for the purchase.  “They gave us a really great deal,” Burchard said. “The savings allowed us to buy more bikes.”

In all, ten used/repaired bicycles and nine new ones – a total of over $1,500 in value -  were donated to veterans in need.

“Bikes have been provided to veterans in Sikeston, Cape Girardeau, Farmington, and Pocahontas, Arkansas as well as Poplar Bluff,” said Cornelius.  “Our social workers identify veterans in need of transportation to appointments or places of employment, and we take them a bike.  The Sears students are impacting local veteran lives in a very real and important way.”

VA Medical Center Director and veteran, Dr. Patricia Hall expressed gratitude on behalf of those who will benefit from this donation.  “I am continually amazed and inspired by the level of support this area has for its veterans,” she said.  “Partners like the Sears Youth Center can meet needs VA cannot, and together, we can provide comprehensive services for at-risk veterans.  We are all grateful for the students and staff at the Sears Youth Center, for their compassion and generosity.”

Hicks says the youth center plans to continue the project.  “We are already planning the next fundraiser to purchase more bikes,” he noted.