College Park Day Ride and Monuments Moonlight Ride, October 19
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Here is some more info on the new Gapbusters bike shop opening in Riverdale Heights. A good cause!
Bike Shop Grand Re-Opening was a BLAST!!!
Partners, staff, and MissCentral America cutting the ribbonCommunity members and leaders congregated in the hallway of the Center for Educational Partnership building on Wednesday night to watch the ribbon-cutting of the Enlightenment Bike Shop, heralding the renaissance of a community resource and treasure.
GapBuster, Inc. and its partners celebrated the reopening of the facility, which was recently redubbed the “Enlightenment” bike shop to reflect the ideals of independence and self-sufficiency that the historical era, promoted scientific thought and intellectual interchange that GapBuster’s mission share.
Though the speakers at the ceremony came from many areas of Prince George’s County and beyond, the themes of encouragement, education and empowerment were echoed by all.
Among the speakers was Dr. Yvette Butler, Executive Director of GapBuster Inc., who spoke about the shop, its return after three years of closure, and how GapBuster’s partnerships in the community allowed the shop to reopen its doors.
Speaking in front of a slide show presentation showcasing the transformation of the shop from a dusty floor littered with scrap parts to a fully functional work space used daily by students and volunteers, managers and local high school students Yostin Huerta and Noe Flores explained how the shop had influenced them when they were involved during their early middle school years until it closed, and their excitement for its return.
Noe Flores, Bike Shop Co-Manager, calls raffle numbers.
Above: GapBuster staff and students
Below: Some of the bike recipients
Also joining the speakers were Laurie Lemieux from Proteus Bicycles, who announced the upcoming Full Moon bike ride through Washington, D.C. on October 19, with proceeds going towards GapBuster’s programs. Tiffany Jackson spoke on behalf of Community Forklift and Wanda Brooks from the Prince George’s County Council, along with Rubí Nicolé Pérez-Howard (Miss Central America Belleza Latina 2013, Youth Leader for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Former Youth Nutrition Educator for University of Maryland Extension, EFNEP). Gloria Aparicio-Blackwell of the University of Maryland noted the partnership GapBuster and the institution share.
Rounding out the speakers were Maritza Bosques from the League of United Latin American Citizens, who was influential in the clean-up of the shop, as well as dedicated community volunteer members, who can frequently be found working with the youth at night.
The ribbon-cutting was performed by Dr. Butler, the shop’s Managers and honored guests in front of a full hallway. Twenty donated bikes from University of Maryland sat in the middle of the floor, which were later raffled off to youth and community members. Among the winners was Lelani Mitchell, 12, who picked her bike out because it “has a spark to it.” Miss Mitchell came to the shop the following day after school to tune up her new bicycle.
Join Proteus Moonlight Monuments Ride, Saturday October 19
Proceeds go to GapBuster, Inc.
Proteus Moonlight Monuments Ride
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