Many of you may remember the story of a little girl from the Philippines who sent me a question on my Bikes for Kids Facebook page. It was August of 2016. She was 8 years old when she wrote, “How much for a bike?”
Her name is Kim Pablo. Her father had just taught her how to Google something. Kim had Googled “Bikes for Kids.” Who would have thought her Google search in the Philippines would have led her to me and my Bikes for Kids page in Redding?
Ted Blankenheim founded Bikes for Kids 13 years ago to ensure underprivileged and foster youth had new bikes at Christmas. Click here to read Greg Greenberg’s story about Ted.
Kim had always wanted a bicycle, but their family was not well off. I explained to Kim that the bikes on the page were for poor and foster youth in Shasta County. She thanked me for the information and left matters at that.
After some thought, I wrote Kim back and asked her to have her father friend me on Facebook. Her dad contacted me. Well, long story short we bought that girl a bike! The bicycle came with two conditions: 1. Kim had to do well in school, and 2. She would have to do something good for someone else someday, “to pay it forward.”
Needless to say, it was a great success. For years now, Kim and her family have been my Facebook friends. And about those promises? I get frequent pictures of Kim getting awards in school, not only for academic achievements, but she’s earned a special note in her transcript for being “the most helpful” in the classroom.
Well, there’s more to the story that happened just last week. I got a photo from Kim of her with her niece, holding a sign that says “Bikes for Kids”. Kim has outgrown the bike and has gifted the bike to her niece.
Well, once again, I’m smiling inside and out.
Kim told me once, “Yes sir, Mr. Ted, I keep my promises!”
On a final note, Kim sent me a note while I was traveling in Southeast Asia. She said that she had spoken to her parents and they agreed that I should visit the Philippines next time, and I could stay at their house! Kim’s birthday is in October. Perhaps a new bike is in order?
What a much better world it is when we pay it forward. Life is good.
