Central Kansas Dream Center (CKDC) is interested in creating a community bike rental program that would promote a healthier community and bring people together, and CKDC Executive Director Kimberly Becker and many others are excited about the possibilities. With the efforts being made on Great Bend’s walking and biking paths, more residents will be encouraged to walk and ride but may need a bicycle.
“We would love to see area bicyclists come together on this project with us – this could bring families together and encourage a new generation of cyclists,” Becker said.  Becker is now building on this concept and looking for resources and volunteers who would be interested in joining the Dream Center in this vision to expand the idea. Area bicycle groups or anyone interested are encouraged to call Becker at 620-603-6283 for more information on how to get involved. Together, she knows this will be successful and promote a healthier Barton County.  
“Earlier this year the City of Great Bend donated 10 unclaimed bicycles to Be Well Barton County (BWBC), a community coalition whose mission is to inspire and advance policy, environmental and lifestyle changes that promote a healthy living for all Barton County residents,” said BWBC representative Sue Cooper. Knowing that CKDC had a need for transportation for their clients, Cooper said BWBC decided to donate all 10 bicycles to the organization along with a $500 gift certificate to Golden Belt Bicycle Company in downtown Great Bend, Kan., to aid in the ongoing maintenance of the bicycles.
Becker said Central Kansas Dream Center’s purpose is to reconnect isolated people to God and a community of support by providing human services that address immediate and long-term needs in the areas of homelessness, hunger relief, life controlling issues and education. Many of the men, women and children who come through the doors of CKDC are homeless and have no means of transportation.
The bicycles filled an obvious gap in their rehabilitation back into society; however, the bicycles needed some work to get them functioning and back on the streets.  CKDC volunteers Delbert Randolf and his son, Alex, who is an avid BMX rider, volunteered to take all 10 bicycles, refurbish, clean and fix each one. The bicycles were then returned to Becker, in mint condition.
Becker said this donation of 10 bicycles has been added to the 10 previously received from Ellsworth Correctional Facility. With 20 bicycles on hand, $350 in bike helmets were then donated by the Great Bend Pilot Club, in conjunction with Donna Krug of the Barton County Extension Office.
For questions, contact Cooper with Be Well Barton County at 620-792-3000 or email sue@goldenbeltcf.org or Becker with Central Kansas Dream Center at 620-603-6283 or email centralkscd@gmail.com.   
Golden Belt Community Foundation
With over $18 million in total assets and more than 155 funds under management, Golden Belt Community Foundation has been connecting people who care to causes that matter since 1996.  Be Well Barton County is funded by the Kansas Health Foundation’s Healthy Communities Initiative and sponsored in part by Golden Belt Community Foundation. For more information about Golden Belt Community Foundation, call (620) 792-3000 or visit their website at www.goldenbeltcf.org.