Rewarding hard work with bicycles

---

Tweet

Curt “Grandad” Eure didn’t realize a trip to Lansing to visit his family eventually would lead him to devote 15 years to teaching kids how to build and maintain bicycles.

“I saw a need of kids working in the community, needing to have someone there (to show) how to work and work together,” Eure said.

It started with simple chores around the neighborhood. He motivated kids to cut lawns and plant vegetables to earn themselves bicycles.

After several years, the program started to grow from his continued involvement and increased community support.

Eventually, Eure and his crew gained support from General Motors Corp. workers and were given their current location that houses hundreds of bicycles and adequate workspace.

Eure takes great pride in his work.

“We not only teach kids how to repair a bicycle, we teach them self-esteem, how to encounter themselves and how to do things for themselves and be proud of it,” he said.

He looks after every child, and sees each as his own.

At the age of 84, Eure says he wants to keep working, and that the program is a mission of his.

“A mission is something you (delve) into and you complete,” he said.

The Kids Repair Program always is looking for volunteers. If interested, call (517) 755-4174.

---