Volunteer for our Santa’s Little Helpers - Home Mechanics Volunteer Program
Help us to give the gift of a bicycle for Christmas!
Santa’s Little Helpers will repair bicycles at home in preparation for our Christmas Giveaway. Learn and use your bicycle mechanics skills and knowledge to turn donated bicycles into safe, functional rides. All you’ll need is a can-do attitude and a few basic tools, and we’ll provide the resources for your success.
Primary responsibilities:
- Repair two (or more!) kids' bicycles at home. Allow for up to three hours per bike, depending on your current bicycle repair skills.
- Follow and complete the repair checklist provided.
- Use the resources provided in your confirmation email to correctly complete all checklist items.
- Register for both pick up and drop off events and notify us of any changes.
- Notify staff at pickup if you need grease and lube to be provided (and bring a container to take it home in).
- Seek assistance from OBC employees whenever needed.
- Record time spent picking up, dropping off, and working on the bikes. You’ll receive an email asking you to record your impact (time spent) after each drop off that you have registered for.
Pick up and drop off bikes on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8 pm.
Last pick up is December 2nd, last drop off is December 9th.
Depending on your current bike mechanic knowledge and skills, allow for up to three hours per bike.
All Santa's Little Helper's volunteers should:
- Have a desire to learn bike mechanics
- Have access to basic tools
- Be friendly, honest, and trustworthy
Tools Needed:
- Adjustable crescent wrench
- Philips and flathead screwdrivers
- Tire lever
- Rags
You will also need:
- Patch kit (provided)
- Grease (bring a container when you pick up the bicycles if you need this)
- Chain lube (bring a container when you pick up the bicycles if you need this)
- Degreaser/dish soap
Benefits:
- Learn and use skills in bike mechanics.
- Give the gift of a bicycle for Christmas.
- Sneak preview of the OBC’s Bicycle Repair video series.
- Receive a custom Santa’s Little Helper pin badge.
- Volunteer for 4+ hours in a month and receive member benefits for the following month. That's free DIY repair bench time and 10% off purchases in the shop
Santa's Little Repair Resources:
Stuck on a repair or not sure what to do? We've created a video playlist on YouTube that will cover each task on your kids' bike repair checklist.
Santa's Little Helpers will have access to a sneak preview of the full set of videos from our youth education video series Dusty and the Wrenches.
And don't forget that we have free Mechanics 101 Classes every Thursday at 5 pm.