Operation turn the Wheel
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department and the Forsyth Correctional Center in Forsyth County have teamed up for a second year to provide restored bicycles to underprivileged youth in Rowan County through the Operation Turn the Wheel program.
The program began in 2006 when the Forsyth Correctional Center’s Action Committee was looking to expand its Wheels for Kids program to include Salisbury and Rowan County. The mission of Operation Turn the Wheel is to provide nearly new bicycles to children in the community who would otherwise not have the opportunity to have a bicycle of their own.
The Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department’s Civic Center began collecting used bicycles from local citizens and businesses in late November and by December 7 had collected more than 35 bicycles for the Forsyth Action Committee to restore. Jeff Oglesby, a member of the Forsyth Action Committee and Correctional Case Manager Alvin Borders drove to Salisbury in a small pickup and loaded the dozens of bicycles into the truck and hauled them back to the correctional center to begin the restoration process.
The Forsyth Action Committee, comprised of male inmates at the Forsyth Correctional Center, takes pride in giving back to the communities where they grew up and hope to live again someday. Part of the committee’s mission is to help members become better leaders in life. In addition to their Wheels for Kids program, the committee also raises money for the local community through aluminum and cardboard recycling, provides Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and gathers much-needed items such as hats and gloves for children whose parents are incarcerated.
The Forsyth Correctional Center is a low-security prison and, for most inmates housed there, is the last stop before they rejoin society. The majority of the inmates have anywhere from six months to three years left to serve before they are released on parole.
The Forsyth Correctional Center provides inmates programs such as job skills training, GED preparation, community college opportunities and work release ó all aimed at helping them build the skills to be contributing members of society. Members of the action committee consider the Operation Turn the Wheel partnership through Salisbury Parks and Recreation a natural fit for the mission of their committee. Providing bicycles to at-risk and underprivileged youth promotes good will, but also health, fitness and play, which are all preventative measures in keeping children active, in school and out of trouble.
The committee worked to restore the bicycles ó polishing the wheels, putting on new tires, repairing seats and handlebars ó bringing each bicycle as close to its original state as possible before delivering the bikes to area youth through the Rowan County Department of Social Services. They hoped to deliver the bicycles just before Christmas so the children could enjoy them during the holiday season.
Salisbury Parks and Recreation and the Forsyth Correctional Center hope to turn the Operation Turn the Wheel program into a year-round partnership, providing bicycles to children throughout the year. To make a donation to the program, or for more information, call Elaney Hasselmann, marketing and community relations manager at 704-638-4460.