Community Pitches In To Replace Veteran's Stolen Bike
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A disabled veteran has a brand new bike thanks to the generosity of CBS4 viewers.
Arthur Woods' bike, his only transportation, was stolen on Memorial Day.
Woods, a handyman, said he saved money to buy a bike so he could bike to jobs
Woods has fallen on hard times. When the recession hit, he said his work nearly stopped. He couldn't afford his house. It ended up in foreclosure. He lost his home but never lost hope.
"I went to Camillus House to get things back together to get my life in order," said Woods.
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He worked hard to buy presentable clothes to get more jobs and then worked hard to get a bike to get to his jobs up to 10 miles away. When it was taken, he was in this store to get change for the laundromat.
"I was just so frustrated, I began to walk home," said Woods.
Minister Wayne Oxford with Food of Life Outreach said Woods had volunteered with his group before he fell on hard times and even when he needed help himself.
"He still tries to give back to those less fortunate than himself when he is in it himself," said Oxford.
"I was blown away someone would steal his bike on Memorial Day and he's a vet and worked so hard to buy this bike," said Oxford.
After hearing his story, CBS4 viewers reached out through Neighbors 4 Neighbors raising more than $1,000 to help him out. One donor donated a brand new bike from UltraBikeX on Key Biscayne. The bike shop donated a helmet and lock for it.
Woods told CBS4's Maggie Newland it renewed his faith in humanity.
"We all at times give up on people in general, but when we see that people can be so passionate it lets us know there's still a lot of good people left in the world," he said.
He says he's glad he can get back to work because customers are counting on him.
Neighbors 4 Neighbors said it received a number of offers for bikes and they'll be going to other people in need.
