USCG commander fixes broken bikes and donates to those in need Story by Aesia Toliver, Wavy News You can find bikes in his garage, car, living room, dining room, and even home gym. They have taken over Portsmouth resident James Cullen’s home. “It’s kind of grown out of control, as you can see,” Cullen said with a chuckle. The U.S. Coast Guard commander and volunteer Portsmouth sheriff’s deputy swears he’s not a bike hoarder because these wheels are going to those in need. “It kinda started about a year ago. I was volunteering in Portsmouth and I ran across a young boy and his bike had been stolen… I felt bad for him. His family didn’t have any money to get him a new one, so my partner and I ended up getting him a new bike. It’s a nice feeling being able to help somebody,” Cullen said. Between a crash last November and COVID-19, Cullen found himself with a lot of downtime. As a previous bike patrol officer, he put his skills to good use. He started buying broken bikes from all over, fixing them up, and posting for them for free in search of a good home on social media. “A lot of people were skeptical like, ‘What’s the catch?’ Like, there’s no catch, I just want to help somebody. This was me buying bikes, fixing them up and selling them, but then people started coming forward saying, I heard what you’re doing I’d like to donate a bike or parts,'” he stated. Dozens of bikes later, Cullen has spent countless hours fixing up everything from speed bikes to tricycles. He says it’s all worth it. Every bike donor and recipient holds a special place in his heart, each with their own story, like one Portsmouth couple. “They [ran] into some employment issues. They had converted a lot of their time to making masks for first responders. They lived here in Portsmouth. They wrote and said ‘Here is our situation, we’d love to ride around the neighborhood’ then I got to see their post later the two bikes together. It kind of gets you,” he said with a smile. Cullen isn’t sure what the future holds, but for now, he’ll keep turning the rust into shine, giving these bikes a new home and community members a reason to smile. “I can tell you, in the City of Portsmouth people here are amazing, and I think this is true across the region,” Cullen said. If you’re interested in donating a bike or helping out in other ways, you can email [email protected]. � Editor’s note: This story originally ran on Wavy News at wavy.com. ESGR Patriot Award presented to Ridgewood Fire Department after YN1’s nomination Photo courtesy of Boyd Loving Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Eidschun said he was proud to present his civilian employer, Fire Chief James Van Goor of the Ridgewood Fire Department, with the Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve’s (ESGR) Employer Support Patriot Award Jan. 29. The Patriot Award supervisors and bosses nominated by a Guardsman or Reservist employee for support provided toward military service. Spouses are also eligible to nominate a supportive supervisor. � Issue 2 • 2020 � RESERVIST 31 recognizes
