COOKING UP CHARITY IN KITCHEN BIKE SHOP
Stephanie Katelnikoff repairs used bikes in her kitchen to give to Calgary kids. She has donated 40 bikes this year but demand remains high. “Bikes were such a big part of my childhood and I think they should be a big part of everybody’s childhood.”
Most kitchens are strictly used for cooking, but one Calgary woman has converted hers into a space where she can spend her days oiling chains, changing tires and scrubbing rust off old bikes.
Stephanie Katelnikoff, 27, isn’t a bike fanatic — she’s just someone who wants to help. For the second year running, Katelnikoff has purchased used bikes she can fix up and donate to Calgary kids who can’t afford wheels of their own.
“I don’t have a garage, so my kitchen is now a bike repair shop,” she said with a laugh.
“Growing up, bikes were such a big part of my childhood and I think they should be a big part of everybody’s childhood. I found a lot of families were struggling, and I wanted to brighten up their spring.”
Katelnikoff started the bike giveback project last year; some extra money came her way, so she splurged. Heading to the closest Canadian Tire, Katelnikoff bought 20 brand-new bikes and gave them away to kids in the community.
A little strapped for cash herself this year, Katelnikoff sold her trailer so she could keep the project going and purchase used bikes she could fix up and donate.
With 40 recipients already pedalling off on their new set of wheels, Katelnikoff still has 20 bikes in her “shop” she’s busy polishing up.
“Even with the 60 bikes I’ve purchased and been given, it doesn’t even meet a fraction of the need that’s been demonstrated,” she said. “There’s a huge need for bikes in the city. I’ll do this all year if people have bikes to give away.”
Katelnikoff said she’s accepting any used bikes people are willing to donate, and is also offering free flat tire repairs for kids in the neighbourhood.