Greetings B4H Fans, Followers and Supporters,
Just a quick update, after a few short months of effort, our new bike shop was loaded on a truck and headed south to Houston Tuesday PM. Final tally was 317 Quality Bikes, Dozen Crates of tools and bike supplies, Dozen Crates of books and school supplies and a few “surprises” for Ngoma.
As they say, for every door that closes another must open. I thought of this as we shut and locked the container yesterday. Next time we see it, it will be in Ngoma Namibia and well on its way to being a solid operational bike shop.
In other news; Austin Lehman Adventures is pleased to announce we have agreed to create and run a Bike Tour in Italy this fall with proceeds going to support the Namibia side of the B4H Operations. Check out www.austinlehman.com/b4h-italy (join us if you can!!) I am also knee deep in creating our new adventure to Namibia that will have us renting bikes from our shop in Ngoma.
Additional exciting news, we are tentatively looking at the village of Katima Mulilo on the Namibia/Zambia border for next year’s efforts. We will visit Katima Mulilo this summer when we visit Ngoma (about 55 km apart).
And finally, one more big thank you… as promised, we will be doing something a bit more public and formal in the weeks ahead (after I get caught up with my life), but I have to extend a warm heartfelt thank you to everyone that has either volunteered their time, (Carol, Walt, Sarah and Gary; The A-Team, just name a few) and or bikes or services… Mark and JoAnne and Montana Cycling have been beyond generous, Doug at Strong’s Crane Service (we would still have the container on the ground had he not stepped up), everyone at Austin Lehman Adventures (especially my partner Paul) who have helped and or supported our efforts, Dave and CJ who donated time, bikes and money (I think they call that a trifecta (Jim at the Spoke Shop for some Dozen Bikes, Bill at the Heights Wal-Mart for collecting a “pile” of Bikes, Bob in Lockwood for his 50 plus bikes and Bud out in Roundup for his dozen, again, just to hit a few… Can’t over look the dozens (and dozens) that called each and every night (or dropped off) to generously donate that “favorite” bike that has been hanging in the garage for years….. Just far too many to list here, will do you ALL justice soon (or at least try)… just trust we know who you are and truly appreciate everything you have done to make this possible. FYI we have a great start on next year, as the bikes keep rolling in…..
Billings can be extremely proud of what collectively we have accomplished, we are truly making life better for those that need it most. Thank you!
And remember……
One bike can change a life. One life can change a community. One community can shape a nation. One nation can alter the world!
PS: Track us on the web at www.b4hmontana.org or on facebook at www.facebook.com/b4hmontana
Thank You!