Today we’d like to introduce you to Russell “Rusty” Durham.
Hi Russell “Rusty”, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Rusty’s bicycle recycle accepts donated bikes and donates them to charities in the greater Orlando area. These charities exist to help, homeless individuals, veterans and foster kids. Donors include bike shops, police department, evidence, rooms, universities, landfills, corporate complexes, and private individuals.
Absolutely 2000 rebuilt bicycles are given away each year in our community to those who desperately need transportation for work and other purposes..
Rusty’s has 24 volunteers who make the repairs, drive, the vehicle‘s, answer the phones and clean the bikes. The charity has been doing this since 1999, but it officially became a 501(c)3 tax exempt charity in 2019.
The shop has 1000 feet of working space inside additional thousand feet of storage nearby. It operates your round with a week off here and there for holidays.
Our website, rustysbicyclerecycle.org contains a lot of other information about us, including media features from local and national producers.
We are the only such charity in the greater Orlando area, but there are at least four others in the state of Florida, and many others across the country.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It took time to get the word out about what we were doing. It took several years to build a donor base.
We have had some vehicular challenges, but most of those have been resolved. We are currently engaged in a campaign to raise money for a newer three-quarter ton pick up. These are needed to pull our trailers to bike day events, bike, drop destinations and pick up locations.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I was a music teacher in private and public schools for 40 years before retiring. 20 years before retiring, Subjects I taught were band, choir, drum corps, and private L
My choirs and bands across the country, and have toured Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines and Canada.
I started preparing Bikes for people in need as a hobby. This transitioned into a full-time effort the day I retired.
I remain a brass player and am a member of the US Coast Guard Auxillary Flotilla 1711 band. I also play with the VFW post 2093 band in Orlando.. I direct the men’s chorus in my church, and also play with the brass quintet there.
My wife and I are recently downsizing to a little smaller house since our seven children have moved out and started their own families. We have six grandchildren.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
There are several thousand homeless in our community. Our goal is to help them with their transportation needs so they can get on their feet quickly and become self-sufficient.
Some are chronically, homeless because of addictions or mental illness.
Some are homeless because they have had crippling medical bills, the loss of a job and subsequent loss of a house.
Others are individuals who have been in the foster system and timed out, resulting in being put on the street.
There are different approaches. We must use to help individuals in all these situations.
Rusty’s bicycle has a motto, “ giving the homeless, a lift, one bike at a time.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rustysbicyclerecycle.org
Image Credits
Please refer to our website for images and videos that feature our charity
