Wheels for Winners

MADISON, WIS. — Two men sporting jean shorts and white T-shirts under black aprons are standing in a sea of tools, tires and frames. They are working diligently in the cramped warehouse, shouting short comments back and forth and occasionally cracking a smile.

Walt Brinkmann is polishing a purple bike and Fred Appleton is spinning a wheel, making sure it is in proper working condition. When they have finished reconstructing this bicycle, it will go in the section of the room where all finished projects go. The shiny, practically new purple bike will sit in that corner until a child comes and earns it.

This close-quartered building on Pennsylvania Avenue is home to Wheels for Winners, a completely volunteer-driven program designed to get children involved in community service and provide them with a bicycle in return for their work. The bicycle incentive is intended to help teach children ownership and responsibility skills.

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