outdoor-bike-racks-jack-the-bike-man-2-2018-web Ilia Evans, a mechanic with the "Jack the Bike Man" charity in West Palm Beach, Fla., holds two galvanized outdoor bike racks donated by The Park and Facilities Catalog

The Park and Facilities Catalog recently donated three outdoor bike racks to the "Jack the Bike Man" non-profit organization in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The charity was started more than a decade ago by Jack Hairston, a retiree who one day happened to notice a man struggling with a broken bike.

Jack pulled some tools out of his garage and fixed the front brakes on the bike. The grateful man told his friends and afterward some of them brought their bikes to Jack to be repaired. Eventually his backyard started filling up with a steady stream of broken bikes and Jack kept on repairing them.

Word about Jack spread. Not only throughout the local community, but also the local news media. Fast forward to today and Jack the Bike Man now operates out of a gigantic warehouse on Florida Avenue and employs a handful of people who gather, fix and donate thousands of bikes.

All throughout the year, local residents drop off their unwanted bicycles at the warehouse. Jack and his team inspect the bikes, make repairs and then gives them away to youngsters and families in need. Not only does the organization provide bicycles to the public, but also provides training and jobs for people out of work.

Every December, with a group of volunteers, Jack holds a massive and hugely-popular bike giveaway, providing bikes to hundreds of kids just in time for the holiday season.

Jack estimates the organization donates more than 5,000 bicycles every year. His group also offers bicycle training and education.

To fund their activities, pay for the warehouse and their employees, the team sells and repairs bicycles for the public. Over the years, the charity has amassed an incredible array of vintage and unique bicycles for sale.

Their motto is "Putting a smile on a child's face one bike at a time."

jack the bike man shop reduced Jack Hairston, founder of the "Jack the Bike Man" charity which has repaired and donated used bicycles to kids for the past decade

Commercial site furnishings company donates three outdoor bike racks

The Park and Facilities Catalog donated three large galvanized "horseshoe" outdoor bike racks. The galvanized coating is a favorite with schools and universities because the metal is covered with a protective zinc finish that does not rust or corrode.

"We are glad to make a donation to Jack the Bike Man," said Chris Luyet, Vice President and General Manager of The Park and Facilities Catalog. "We not only sell bike racks, we are bicycle enthusiasts ourselves and we know the tremendous value of a youngster owning a bike of their own."

The commercial site furnishings company is an advocate for safe bike lanes and infrastructure and has been designated as a Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Bicyclists.

To donate a bicycle, buy a bicycle, get your bicycle fixed, or contribute to this worthwhile charity, go to www.jackthebikeman.org or call 561-832-0071.