‘He really made a difference’: Miami Laker fixes bikes to fund church’s food program

Community By Megan Jacobo, Reporter Wednesday, July 1, 2020

‘He really made a difference’: Miami Laker fixes bikes to fund church’s food program
On a quiet Friday morning, Jerimie Walker spun the wheel of an old bicycle he was fixing that would soon bring joy to a new rider.
Walker’s stress, worsened during the pandemic by a lack of work for his security firm, was eased in the sun-filled sanctuary of Miami Lakes United
Methodist Church as he tackled his project.
“I used to suffer from anxiety,” Walker said. “The only thing that helps me is helping others.”
Coral Gables Police donated old, broken and wrecked bikes to the church.
Pastor Stuart Bodin didn’t have a plan for them, but Walker did.
Especially since so many people have turned to two wheels to spin away their boredom during the coronavirus quarantine, and bike shops had reported shortages.
Walker got to work, replacing shredded tires and oiling gears and chains.
The tasks came naturally to Walker, as one of his hobbies is working on engines and motorcycles.
And as he labored over the bicycles, he thought of the kids who would get to race around on them.
“It’s a great exercise and gets them out of the house for a bit,” Walker said.
Forty-six refurbished bicycles were sold June 6 at the church, at 14800 NW 67th Ave.
The sale raised a little over $2,000.
The cash would go toward the church’s distribution of food to hundreds of people each Thursday and the addiction recovery program.
The money came in handy, Bodin said.
Big food suppliers were not donating as much, because their own restaurant clients were reopening.
And as worship services went virtual and pews were empty, coffers went unfilled.
Walker, 48, has lived in town for more than 20 years. He and his girlfriend Cristina Hamrick, 48, have a son, Jorden Jeffrey
Walker, 9.
Walker attended services at a church with his grandmother when he was a child and joined this congregation a few years ago.
“I like helping out the church,” Walker said.
His pastor said, “People need to find purpose, and Jerimie has a gift for working on different projects and he found something he is passionate about to help the church.
“He did a wonderful job and really made a difference with helping,” Bodin said.