New bike for volunteer

Donation facilitated by Salvation Army, police officers

SYDNEY MINES — The Christmas spirit has arrived in Cape Breton.

Vince Steffens, 59, whose bicycle was stolen while he was manning kettles for the Salvation Army, has a new bike.

“It's nice to know people care, I'll tell you that,” said Steffens. “I've never even had a brand-new bike.”

Steffens said he appreciates the bike — donated through the efforts of the Salvation Army, a police officer and a retired officer.

Steffens was also grateful to the people who reached out to him and those who contacted the Cape Breton Post, wanting to replace his stolen bike.

“It's wonderful to see so many people take the time to send such love out in the world,” he added.

On Nov. 20, Steffens was manning the Salvation Army red kettles at the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. store in Sydney Mines, when culprits stole his bicycle.

Although it was old and rusty, it was his sole means of transportation.

Living on a fixed income, he said he would never be able to buy a new bike.

He rode the new bike for the first time on Monday.

“I didn't want it to get it wet and muddy,” he said.

Steffens has been helping with the Salvation Army's red kettle campaign for seven years and when he lived in Sydney, he volunteered at Loaves and Fishes.

OVERWHELMED

Steffens' sister Darlene Steffens

said they didn't report the theft to Cape Breton Regional Police because the bike was old, but hoped the thief would do the right thing and return it.

“It was just an old rusty bike but it's all he had,” she said.

Darlene Steffens said when the new bike was delivered on Friday, her brother was flabbergasted. She said he would have been happy with a second-hand bike.

“He's so tickled pink to have a new bike he doesn't even want to drive it. He's so happy.”

Darlene Steffens said it was wonderful to see the community response.

“His birthday was Saturday, so that added something even more special to it all.”

BIKE DONATION

Salvation Army Lt. Jenelle Durdle with the Sydney Community Church said the bike donation was a result of retired police officers who were made aware of the theft.

“They stepped up and we were able to secure a bike,” she said. “It's a really wonderful expression of community love.

“We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there are hardships, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus,” she said. “Everybody has a place to take care of others. It doesn't matter what background you come from, you have a place to give and to be a part of making things better.”

Bob MacLean, vicepresident of the Cape Breton Regional Police Retirees' Association, said the association itself was not involved with the donation but it was retired sergeant Tom Ripley who became involved.

According to MacLean, Ripley and Const. Greg Gouthro worked together on the Association for Safer Cape Breton Communities and as a result of seeing situations where people needed help, they started a bank account through private and public donations.

“These two guys set this up knowing there is a need in the community,” MacLean said, adding the retirees association is not involved with the money raised by the two men.

MacLean said having heard about the work Ripley and Gouthro do, the Salvation Army contacted them regarding their volunteer who had his bike stolen.

“They bought a bicycle and gave it to him through the funds in this account, funded through the public,” MacLean said.

“We support it and encourage it but it has nothing to do with (the retirees association). This is a retired police officer and a soon to be retired officer and they do this all themselves and deserve a lot of credit.”

Many people messaged the Post wanting to get Steffens a new bike including Sasha Stubbert of Sydney Mines. Stubbert, a victim of theft herself, said Steffens is so kind and giving to others. She said this is a community of people helping one another.

“We all know how it feels to be victimized,” she said. “It's a horrible feeling. I didn't want him to feel that way. I thought a simple gesture such as getting him a new bike may help turn this negative event into something positive for him."