Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1513742
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 27, 2023 -JANUARY 2, 2024 UCW 11 "Cycling promotes life skills, reduces screen time, increases independence, longevity, family fun, a new hobby, new adventures, and road safety awareness," states Beyond Bikes. Bernadette R. Bogerty is the executive director of e Healthy Child and Adolescent Network, the agency that runs the Bike Giveaway Pro- gram. It is the next level of the Bicycle Man, Moses Mathis. Moses Mathis, the original Bicycle Man, gave away approximately 250,000 bicycles from 1990 to 2012. Mathis passed away in 2013. Ann Mathis, his wife, resumed the Bicycle Man tradition until her retirement in 2022. Bernadette Bogerty, in her professional capacity as Cumberland County social worker, facilitated the Bicycle Man's distribution pro- gram during the thirty-two-year period. "At the height of the program, we were pro- viding bicycles for 2,500 kids over the holiday. I could not in good conscience just let the program die when I had the opportunity to step up to the plate and continue Mr. Mathis' legacy," said Bogerty. e late Moses Mathis bicycle giveaways empowered more than 250,000 neighborhood children. e children's quality of life can be enhanced by: 1. "Reduced stress. 2. Improved Cognitive function. 3. Increased attention span 4. Health Body Mass Index 5. Social connection 6. Positive and effective coping skills 7. Reduces loneliness. 8. Enhances wellness. 9. Personal proficiency. 10. Community Solidarity," states allkids- bike.org "Teaching kids to ride a bicycle at a young age will instill positive coping skills, and protective tools against anxiety," according to allkidsbike.org Bogerty is a graduate of Methodist Univer- sity, a retired United States Air Force nurse, special education instructor and a retired Cumberland County Social Worker. She has a neighborhood moniker, Ms. Ber- nie, e Bike Madea. She received the name from her grandchildren. e name became popular with the residents of the community. Bogerty shared with the writer the long-term plan for the program is "to build the inventory to 2,500 for distribution each year, establish a partnership with Bike Clubs in Cumberland County, and the bicycle distribution expanded to age 17. Bicycle distribution programs are available for ages 18 and over." e writer asserts a primary quality of life benefit is the joy of receiving a bicycle. "As a kid, I had a dream I wanted my own bicycle. When I got the bike, I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool. I lived for that bike. Most kids left their bikes in the backyard. Not me. I insisted on taking mine indoors and on the first night, I even kept it on my bed," said John Lennon. ere are feel-good feelings accompanying bicycle donation. "One of the key factors that motivate people to donate is a feel-good factor. e act of giving activates the release of feel-good hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin in the brain. ese hormones are associated with feelings of trust, happiness and social bonding. "Empathy allows us to put ourselves in someone else's shoes and feel their emotions, which can trigger a desire to help," according to Pride Philanthropy. e Healthy Child and Adolescent Network- e Bike GiveAway Program requests dona- tions of bicycles to the warehouse at 786 Blue Street. Volunteers are welcome to the program. Contact Bernadette R. Bogerty by phone at 910-745-8008 or 910-929-0951 or by email at BikeGiveAwayCoordinator@ gmail.com. Continuing the legacy of Fayetteville's "Bicycle Man" by LENA SIMMONS FEATURE LENA SIMMONS, Staff Writer COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com 910-484- 6200 make your Radio sound funny. Mornings 6am to 10am on WFAY. Bud & Broadway Top: Bernadette R. Bogerty continues legacy of Moses Mathis after retirement of Ann Mathis, Moses Mathis' wife. She is known as Ms Bernie,e Bike Madea. Bogerty continued Mathis' legacy with e Healthy Child and Adolescent Network Bike Giveaway Program. Bottom: Moses Mathis, the original Bicycle Man, donated more than 250,000 bikes to the children of Cumberland County in a 32 year period. He passed away in 2013. (Photos courtesy of Bernadette R. Bogerty)