BBC Grant Program

As many club member realize, the BBC has an active grant program, funded by profits from our Ride Across INdiana.

As a new committee gears up for the next grant application process, now would be a good time to look back at this year's grants.

Janice Arveson, chair of the grant committee for the last few years, reports:

For 2013 the Bloomington Bicycle Club awarded $10,127 to 11 non-profit organizations, seven of which are new recipients of BBC grant money.  Different ways we'll see our BBC money at work around town are:

• A Summer Cycling Program at The Boys and Girls Club 
• 13 Share the Road signs in Monroe County
• Tricycles, locks, tubes, and a pump at The New Hope Shelter
• Support of the Bike to Barn ride on March 30th
• Prizes and counters at Bikes Week, May 16-20, sponsored by Bloomington Parks and Recreation
• Lights and bicycle repair supplies at the Bloomington Community Bike Project
• More safe cyclists:  The Red Cross partners with IU parking operations and receives bicycles for homeless Veterans.  Our grant will outfit 15 bikes/riders with a light, lock, reflective vest and helmet.
• Bike racks at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Bloomington Hospital, Monroe County United Ministries, and Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.  The BBC purchased bike racks at cost from Revolution Bike and Bean.  This ensured high quality racks, prevented redundant shipping costs, supported a local bike shop, and ultimately reduced the expense from the grant budget.  We are very grateful to Revolution Bike and Bean for their generosity and enthusiasm in helping us with this project.  Please support them and express your appreciation next time you shop there!

Thanks to all members of the BBC for supporting these worthy organizations through your dues, RAIN registrations and jersey purchases.  The grant committee consists of Janice Arvesen, Jerry Arvesen, Carol Bodnar, Mike Bodnar, Sue Perin and Linda Woods.

Janice has now stepped down from chairing the grant committee after doing an excellent job for several years. Recently the BBC board approved Brett Nelson as committee chair for the coming year. I suspect he'll be asking for volunteers to serve with him on the committee. Perhaps you would like to be part of this effort.