Florida Catholic | Student’s Two-Wheel Lift Gifts Help Others To Work

Student’s two-wheel lift gifts help others to work

Students and staff of St. Joseph School in Palm Bay pitch in to purchase bicycles for people needing transportation for work.

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 03.28.08

Andrea Janosek, center, watches St. Joseph Parish School student, Karen Riebsame, attach a basket to the bicycle she received from the parish school. “I’ll be able to get a real job now,” said Janosek who had been working at a temporary agency because of a lack of transportation.
MELANIE L. DODSON

MELBOURNE | The depth of emotion could be expressed only in silence. Fourteen people received new bicycles that meant transportation to work, access to necessities — the freedom to live more fully.

A contingent of students and staff from St. Joseph Parish School in Palm Bay who had raised the money to purchase the bicycles witnessed and shared the fruits of their efforts.

“I’ll be able to get a real job now,” said Andrea Janosek. “I live in Rocky Waters Trailer Park and it’s too far to walk. I couldn’t even get to the grocery store. I’ve had to work out of Able Body Labor to get transportation to job sites. It was the only way I could get to work. Now I have a ‘Cadillac,’” her voice trailed off to a whisper, “Amen,” and then rose again. “It’s all looking good,” Janosek said with extended emphasis on “good.”

All were gathered at the Daily Bread soup kitchen warehouse in Melbourne March 17 — Monday of Holy Week. Daily Bread provides a hot lunch to 500 people daily. The men and women receiving the bicycles frequent Daily Bread and are trying to become self-sufficient. The bicycles will help. There was little fanfare, but the joy was palpable.

Maxine Leavitt, social concerns director for St. Joseph Parish, explained, “It was Principal Anna Adam’s idea. In addition to their (Operation) Rice Bowl donations (Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten project to collect money for food) the children were asked to earn money to purchase bicycles for a few of those in need in the community. Each class had a goal of $100 and with 15 classes we were able to purchase 14 bicycles with baskets and locks.”

The eighth-grade students present shared how they raised money. Karen Reibsame did chores — emptied the dishwasher, the trash, cleaned her room; Kathy Ridyard solicited her family for donations; Stephanie Silva found change lying around the house; and Monica Sheladia emptied her piggy bank of her savings.

Father Robert J. Hoeffner, pastor, provided additional insight. “One thing our school does really well is focusing on those who are suffering — and then doing something about it. Today is symbolic for our community because there really is so much need, but it is really impressive for a Lenten project.”

Bill T., whose last name is not being used to protect his privacy, also reports to work at Able Body Labor every morning. “This is going to get me back and forth to work a lot easier,” he said. “There’s not a lot of call for carpenters right now.”

Father Hoeffner led a brief prayer service, blessing the bicycles and riders. Advising caution, he said, “Now you still have to be careful.”

Eighth-grader Karen summed it up, “Everyone is really happy, because we are really helping.”

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