One child's trashed bicycle is another's treasure in Atlantic City
By LYNDA COHEN Staff Writer, 609-272-7257
Published: Saturday, November 22, 2008
ATLANTIC CITY - When it comes to granting a child's wish for a bicycle, John Frapaul knows where to look: the curb on trash day.There's also the corners of people's garages, or basements, or attics. Wherever there's a discarded or forgotten bike, Frapaul can turn it into the perfect gift.The smiling faces of nearly 100 children attested to that Friday, as volunteers at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church gave out Frapaul's trash-to-treasure work."The kids, their eyes just get real big," said Joe Franco, who coordinated this year's giveaway with his wife, Bunny. "The bikes are like brand new."Frapaul and his wife, Rose Marie, make sure of that.
It all began when the Bergen County couple decided to bring something extra during a visit to Atlantic City."We like the shore, and we like a little gambling," said John Frapaul, 74. "I had a couple of bikes here that no one was using, so we took them up on the Boardwalk to see if anyone wanted them."It was so popular, they brought more."Some people were thrilled to get them," Frapaul recalled. "Some were wondering what was going on. 'Do we have to pay for them?'"Then, the couple caught the attention of Monsignor William Hodge, who joined the couple to give out bikes for Christmas at St. Nicholas.All year, Frapaul collects bikes. He knows when trash pickups are, as do some friends, who let him know when they spot a potential project. He gets others from people who have old bikes their children outgrew. The senior club to which he and his wife belong donates some, as does his local Knights of Columbus.Rose Marie does some of the legwork and keeps track of everything. Then, the couple brings the bicycles - 10 to 12 at a time - to Atlantic City in their van.For the past three years, St. Nicholas has given away a couple of hundred bikes to city children just before Christmas. This year, there was an early start - even earlier than the planners expected."People were lined up hours beforehand," Bunny Franco said.There were so many people, they started giving out the bikes a half-hour before the 1 p.m. start time.By 1:30, only a few girl's bikes were left.Majesta Nyanyo nearly missed her chance.The 8-year-old was still in her Our Lady Star of the Sea school uniform when she happily walked toward the back of the church to get her new bike. Instead, she reached a locked door to the basement, where the bikes are stored.No worries. Soon the door opened, and a volunteer brought a good-as-new pink bike out to the girl, who smiled shyly."She wanted a bike for Christmas," said her mother, Thomassina, who works as a substitute teacher. "Now she has a nice one."The Frapauls still plan to bring about 20 more bikes to Atlantic City, and there is a planned giveaway Dec. 13, with other presents available as well."We were there last year, and it gets to be quite a line," John Frapaul said. "It's fantastic."E-mail Lynda Cohen:LCohen@pressofac.com
TO DONATE BIKES
Anyone wishing to donate bicycles to the St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church's giveaway can bring them to the gift shop. The church is located at 1409 Pacific Ave., or call 609-344-1040.
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