St. Clair County Transit’s District Director of Facilities Gives Back with Bike Recycling Program

Belleville, Illinois, December 17, 2018 – St. Clair County Transit District’s Director of Facilities and Maintenance Tony Erwin has a history of giving back to the community.  Since 2002, Tony has been working with a neighbor to fix up bicycles for the community in collaboration with the Freeburg Food Pantry.  His bike recycling program has helped to restore and re-gift over 1,200 bicycles to area families in need during the holidays.

“Tony is an incredible asset to SCCTD and this community.  He has the heart of a servant, and he gives of himself in an unselfish manner.  His greatest strength lies in is his religious faith and his wife Geralyn.  He is as he likes to say ‘His Mother’s Son,’” said Ken Sharkey, Managing Director of the St. Clair County Transit District.

Tony grew up on a farm in Clinton County, where fixing the things that needed minding, was a way of life.  A long-time neighbor Wayne Herber asked Tony to give him a hand fixing up a few bikes for the Freeburg Food Pantry as Christmas gifts for families in need of adult or children’s bikes.  This partnership for the community continued until Wayne’s death, at which time, Tony continued the program with the help of Dennis Herzing and Evelyn Mueller who run the Freeburg Food Pantry. With an average of 60 to 70 bikes distributed per year, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities available.

“We do it because of people like Wayne Heberer and Evelyn Mueller who volunteer their time and ask for nothing in return.  Our hope is to inspire young people to be stewards in their own communities by helping those in need but also who may not otherwise get to participate in physical activities without a bike,” Tony said.  “Giving back, that is the gift,” he added.

Founded in 1981, St. Clair County Transit District oversees 11 MetroLink stations and 18 bus routes in St. Clair County, IL.  If commuters have any questions about service, they can contact (618) 628-8090 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.  For more information visit www.scctd.org.

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