ALLENTOWN, Pa. — As Jeremy Duperree helped assemble bicycles for children from low-income families, he was a kid again.
“This takes me back,” said Duperree, an employee of Just Born, who was among 16 volunteers from four area companies at the Santa’s STANDARD WORKshop event at Manufacturers Resource Center in Allentown on Wednesday afternoon.
“My favorite bike was a Huffy 10-speed. I rode it all over Philadelphia where I grew up. Having a bike was a big deal.”
Still is.
Community Bike Works in Easton is celebrating the 30th year of its Earn a Bike program. Low-income families from the Lehigh Valley can become eligible to get a bike by signing up online or in person for the 24-hour mentoring program.
Volunteers from Just Born, Lutron Electronics, Ocean Spray and Northeast Products assembled 40 bikes in a record time of 32 minutes.
The seven station-to-station assembly line of attaching tires, seats, pedals and handlebars was overseen by Santa, who had challenged the volunteers on Monday and Tuesday to put the bikes together quickly for kids in need.
“Kids dream of owning a bike,” said Gene Kaschak, MRC vice president of continuous improvement and leadership development strategy, to the volunteers.
“Thanks for making the kids' dreams come true.”
James Williams, director of programs at Community Bike Works, said the program is desperately needed to help kids get a bike.
“It’s nice to be able to have brand new bikes, but especially ones that are already put together,” Williams said.
“We serve 600 kids a year, so there's a lot of need for bikes. We’re always looking for donors and we accept any bike in any condition. So, you know, getting new ones is kind of a rarity for us.”
Manufacturers Resource Center serves manufacturers in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill counties to enhance their productivity and technology.
“Kids dream of owning a bike. Thanks for making the kids' dreams come true.”
Gene Kaschak, MRC vice president of continuous improvement and leadership development strategy
At Santa’s STANDARD WORKshop, workers learn and apply Lean principles while assembling youth bikes that will be donated to Community Bike Works of Allentown in time for the holiday season.
Lean manufacturing principles are a way of thinking that helps organizations create value for customers while maximizing efficiency.
The hands-on learning experience provides volunteers with practical exposure to:
- Introduction to Lean Manufacturing: Core principles applied directly to the bicycle assembly line.
- Waste Reduction & Process Flow: Using Lean tools to optimize the build.
- TWI Job Instruction: Standardizing work for quality, safety and efficiency.
- Team Building, True North and Continuous Improvement: Real-Time problem-solving on the shop floor.
As Amrish Thaker watched the volunteers furiously assemble the bikes, he was a kid again.
“Watching this reminds me of getting a bike when I was a boy,” said Thacker, who emigrated from India when he was 20.
“I loved my bikes. It had a U-shaped kickstand and some had a basket to carry groceries. I know how much it means to kids to have a bike. That’s why this program is so important.”
For more information: Visit the Community Bike Works website.