News Center Maine: “Portland Gear Hub Celebrates Students, Volunteers”
Watch the short video here
On September 12, we hosted an End of Summer Celebration at the Gear Hub garage and parking lot. After a busy summer of programs and shop retail, we had a lot to celebrate: our hardworking volunteers who return every week to repair bikes, process donations, and lead welcoming group rides. We also wanted to invite back all of our program graduates from Youth Earn-A-Bike, Bikes for All Mainers, BOLT, and Be Your Own Bike Mechanic for their role in creating our community and living out our mission!
Hope Revelto, owner of Little Chair Printing, helped everyone screen print the Gear Hub logo on recycled tees on an amazing mobile screen printing set-up on a BMX tricycle. Here’s a quick 30 second video of the screen printing in action. Thank you, Hope!
Join us for Volunteer Night every Wednesday from 6-8 PM
Volunteers help us to process donations, build bikes, sort skis, as well as build and paint our retail space. In exchange you can learn basic bike and gear repair skills, meet other outdoor-enthusiasts, bike commuters, or even your neighbor! As you volunteer with us you earn credit for Open Bench Time to work on your own bike at the Bike School.
No experience is necessary to volunteer. This is an opportunity to learn. If you do have a relevant skill set you would like to share, let us know.
To get started fill out a volunteer application by visiting the shop. You can drop-in during Volunteer Night or read more about long-term Volunteer Positions available below.
Don’t forget to sign-up for our Volunteer Newsletter where you can learn about upcoming events and new opportunities to get involved!
If you have any questions, you can contact Kerry, our Volunteer Coordinator, at kgross@campketcha.org or stop by the shop at 155 Washington Ave!
Group Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in volunteering with a large group from a school, company, or office? Email us with the size of your group and the date(s) and time(s) you would like to volunteer, and we will work with you to schedule an event!
Youth Volunteers
Youth Volunteers in the shop help out year-round working on a school project, completing an internship, or fulfilling community service requirements. Youth ages 12 – 15 are eligible for our Youth Mechanic Apprenticeship at the Bike School. Learn more here.
Long-Term Volunteer Positions
Sewing Repair for Camping / Recreational Equipment
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week
Details: We are looking for a creative individual who enjoys and has some experience with sewing, stitching and patching. Experience using outdoors equipment or working with thick fabrics is a plus, though certainly not necessary. No need for perfectionism! We have a sewing machine, an awl and a work bench.
Duties Include: Sewing, stitching, and using judgement in assessing the appearance of the end product
Status: This position is currently filled. Please check back in for future openings.
Rubber Recycling
Time Commitment: 1 pickup per month
Details: We generate about 50 lbs of waste rubber each month in worn bicycle tires and tubes. We are looking for an individual who can help by picking up our scrap rubber and recycling it at a recycling facility or finding a way to repurpose.
Duties Include: Picking up scrap rubber and finding a recycling option
Donation Processing
Time Commitment: 2 hours per week
Details: We need a detail-oriented individual who can come into the shop once a week during the day to sort through our ever-growing donation pile!
Duties Include: Categorizing and sorting donations, cleaning items, and determining which items need repair
Status: This position is currently filled. Please check back in for future openings.
Bike Parts Processing
Time Commitment: 1-3 hours per week
Details: We maintain a large inventory of used bike parts in the shop. The parts are used in-house to build bikes for programs and for sale, and are also available for customers to buy or use during Open Bench Time. We’re looking for someone to clean components, check that they are functioning properly, and sort into the appropriate bin. Some experience with bike components and mechanics helps, but is not necessary! Attention to detail and a curiosity about components, nuts and bolts are key!
Duties Include: Cleaning, sorting, and organizing bike components
Status: This position is currently filled. Please check back in for future openings.
Contact kgross@campketcha.org for more information on each position.