Greg

Meet Greg

Greg is part of a bicycle fun club called Monkey Business where he first heard about iCan Bike. He has now volunteered at two different camps and is planning for his third this summer.

The first year he volunteered, he was originally only signed up for a couple of sessions.  After hearing the camp was short on volunteers, Greg took some vacation days and traded some of his work shifts so he could help all week. For year two, Greg took off the entire week from work in advance so he could be there for the entire camp! This type of investment and passion is what led Greg to be nominated for this volunteer spotlight by both the iCan Bike staff and the leader of Monkey Business Fun Club, Ken.

Our iCan Bike staff Lyndsey, said this about Greg: “Throughout the week, he was invested in seeing his rider’s progress and doing everything he could to improve their bike skills! Greg was very personable, interacted with his riders (of all varying ages and diagnoses) with ease, and had a great sense of humor. He was also encouraging to riders he wasn’t assigned to and shared in their victories! On Friday, Greg brought his dad to volunteer because he was so impressed (and proud) with how camp was going for the week. Greg truly has a heart of gold!”

Going into his first volunteer experience with iCan Bike, Greg said that he was nervous, but Ken had told him it would be life changing and Greg tells us now that Ken was not wrong. Greg clearly made such an impact on all of those around him during his time volunteering, but hearing the impact camp had on him shows us all the reach this program really has on all involved.

When asked to describe his experience and the most meaningful part of volunteering, Greg shared this with us:

“Volunteering at iCan Shine is the most amazing thing I have ever done! I’m addicted by the infectious positivity of the riders and staff. Everyone is about helping the riders ride a bike, no matter the challenge they may face. Every year I look forward to camp. It’s the boost of joy that I need. With all the negative in the world, this is the sunshine that cancels out the darkness. The first day I walked in, I was scheduled for 2 sessions (to work with a different participant each session). After the first session, I called my work and took the rest of the day off. I stayed to help at all sessions that day (working with five participants). That night I called in favors and got all the rest of my work shifts covered that week. The next year I took vacation days for any days I would have to work. This year I took a week’s vacation to not be scheduled the week of camp.”

“I love watching the smiles and joy on the faces of riders when they are launched and they, themselves, are doing it. Any grown man will be brought to tears with the joy you feel. Even if your rider struggles on launch or by the end of camp, they struggle to ride solo, you feel glee with the progress you’ve seen in just 5 days. I give my all in these camps for the riders. No one else matters. The bravery and drive that they have is all the motivation I need. I hope everyone will get an opportunity to share space with these amazing kids and young adults. They truly are incredible.”

THANK YOU, Greg, for the time you have given to our program and for the wonderful words you shared with us.

If you are thinking about volunteering, I will let you hear from Greg one more time. “JUST DO IT!!! Like was said to me it will ‘change your world’!”

~ SHINE ON ~

Do you know an amazing volunteer with a story to share?
If so, please forward it to us at info@icanshine.org