Bella Vista City Guide

e philosophy behind the nonprofit Pedal it Forward is simple. "We believe everyone deserves a bike," director Kenny Williams said, he works with over 60 "Pedal Partners" to make that vision happen. Pedal It Forward started in a space just across McNelly Road from Wishing Spring Galley in 2004. ey have a second site in Rogers. e group has refurbished and donated thousands of bicycles in just a few years. ere's a helmet given away with each bicycle. ey accept used bikes year round and volunteers clean and repair them. Most of the bike shops in the region will accept donated bikes and hold them until Williams can pick them up and bring them to one of the work spaces. During the Christmas season, Pedal It Forward partners with organizations that provide gis for needy families and hundreds of children's bikes are sent out. But adults need bicycles too and Pedal It Forward also partners with groups that serve adults like the Department of Veterans Affairs. For some adults, a bicycle is transportation to jobs or vital services. It's especially important for adults who can't drive a car. Although occasionally, a person will contact the group asking for a bike, it's more efficient, Williams said, to distribute through another organization that knows where the bikes are needed. In early December, hundreds of children's bikes are stored in the raers at one of their two locations, waiting to be gied. "I'm always on the hunt for bikes," Williams said. e group oen receives bikes that have been taking up space in someone's garage. Some of those bikes only need a cleaning and a minor tune-up before going to their new home. Other bikes may need more extensive repair, and that is done by volunteers. e only bikes that can't be used are the ones that have enough rust to make them unsafe. e group will accept a bike like that and may be able to harvest some usable parts. en the rusty frames are always recycled. In the work space on McNelly Road, dozens of wheels, fenders, and seats are waiting to be matched with a donated bike. Volunteer Ray Matkowski enjoys the challenge of matching parts with donated bikes. "Each one is a puzzle," he said. Williams is also happy to get new volunteers. ere's no experience needed, he said. Some volunteers can be put to work immediately organizing and cleaning. Others, who want to learn more about bicycle maintenance, are paired with an experienced volunteer. ey can be working independently within a few volunteer sessions. Potential volunteers should fill out a volunteer form on the organization's website, pedalitforward.org, and then show "Everyone deserves a bike" | By Lynn Atkins, Special to Bella Vista City Guide 14 | 2023 Bella Vista City Guide Bella Vista Courtesy Van is a local non-profit organization that has been operating for more than 30 years and offers their services free of charge for Bella Vista residents. eir mission statement is "To provide courtesy transportation for persons who live in the City of Bella Vista who can no longer drive due to age and/or health." e Courtesy Van provides a means of safe, reliable transportation to those who need rides to doctor's appointments, to buy food, and address other daily needs. e board, schedulers, and drivers work in close coordination to be as responsive and flexible as possible to meet the clients' needs. e default position is always to consider any extra steps necessary to help people who need transportation. Everyone who works at Courtesy Van is a volunteer, there are no paid employees, and the volunteers include the board of directors, drivers, schedulers, and maintenance. e nine-member board meets bimonthly and in addition to daily management, the board is also involved in fundraising for day-to-day operations. It takes significant capital each year to operate, maintain, and insure their three vans, and they rely solely on donations and grants. Covid caused a halt in service from March 2020 to May 2021. During the pause, a computerized and vastly improved scheduling system was put in place. "We want the word out that our organization is here and ready to provide as much needed transportation as possible," said Bill Puskas, President of Bella Vista Courtesy Van. "Working with the Courtesy Van is a very rewarding experience. ere is a core group of citizens who truly need and appreciate our services. With our improved systems and processes, and the recruitment of more drivers and schedulers, we hope to be around as long as needs exist." All rides need to be scheduled 48 hours in advance. Schedulers receive the calls, make the required notes, which may include accommodation for handicaps, then drivers take the information to plan each day's transportation activities. ose needing a ride, interested in learning more about what they do, or wanting to volunteer can call the Courtesy Van office, leave a message, and they promise to get back to you as quickly as possible. e Bella Vista Courtesy Van is always in need of board members, drivers and schedulers. If you are interested in one of these positions or in volunteering in any way please call 479-855-7663 and leave your name and number. Bella Vista Courtesy Van Phone: 479-855-7663 Address: 1801 Forest Hills Blvd Suite 120, Bella Vista, AR 72715 Website: www.bellavistacourtesyvan.com SPONSOR CONTENT Bella Vista Courtesy Van: reliable transportation for those in need

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