Mr. Earl Wright in the warehouse bay full of donated bikes for Project Santa. THE BICYCLE MAN con't from p. 30 THE BICYCLE MAN continued To donate a bike or to volunteer, please call Mr. Earl at 639-9506 or 639-4048. pedal, brake cable—it’s got to be real bad before I can’t fix it. I personally touch every single bicycle that leaves the facility because I have to make sure the bike is safe. I’ll stay all night and work if I have to.” Mr. Earl smiles, “It’s not hard work; it’s good. It’s a drug. When you start to work on one bicycle, that one turns into five. Five will turn into 20, 20 into a 100 before you know it. You’ll bust up your knuckles real good, but you can see the results.” Earl’s family also supports his goal. “My kids and grandkids are fine,” Earl says. “Last time I counted, I had 33 or 34 grandchildren; my oldest son has three sets of triplets!” An unforgettable story sparked a new outlet for giving. Mr. Earl tells, “This one kid had been waiting in the parking lot for his bike since before 5:00AM, but we don’t give bikes away until 8. My child was shaking from the bitter cold; so I took my coat off and gave it to him.” Ever since that morning, me and Mrs. Thompson buy every toboggan and pair of gloves we can find—blue for the boys; pink for the girls. If we can afford it, we also put candy canes on all the bikes.” From the parking lot at IGA, formerly called Bo’s, the bicycles are given out on Christmas morning. Earl explains the timing, “People always ask, ‘Why Christmas day?’ Well, it’s God’s birthday. You get your presents on Christmas, and for some kids the bicycle is their only present.” Any canned good donation received from the families are given to the Food Bank. Earl informs, “I want to show the kids that if somebody gives you something, and you are fortunate enough to give back, then give back.” Although the parents are encouraged to come, the parents can’t pick out the bicycle. Mr. Earl tells, “It’s not about the parents; it’s about the kids.” Qualifications for receiving a bike are as simple as, “Anyone who comes to stand in line. Any color, creed, person. If you can get there, we will help you,” Earl promises. For those who may be too embarrassed to come? “Swallow your pride; your kids are way more important than your pride. Look at the kids; it’s all about the kids.” Gearing up for Christmas morning, volunteers and bicycles are needed. Mr. Earl encourages, “Just call me; I’m here most every day from sun up to sun down. We have a lot to do! Ain’t nothing like turning a bolt and seeing that child’s face light up! It’s got to be my favorite job ever!” Living his dream, Mr. Earl reminisces, “Coming up, people said I was poor, and I’d never have anything. My teachers told me the same thing. ‘You’ll never be nothing; you’ll never have nothing.’ Their words, although cruel, made me stronger. They made me survive. I wanted to make them out a lie, and I did!” Earl beams, “I made Man of the Year Award in Pinehurst, and Governor Pat McCrory honored me with the Lifetime Achievement Award.” From walking the dirt roads to landfills, to picking tobacco and playing football, from cleaning houses to giving out toys, each revolution grew a legend, a giver, an inspiration—Mr. Earl William Wright. In receiving unconditional love and lots of hugs from all of his kids who never let him down, Mr. Earl inspires our community to keep pedaling! �� LET'S GO FOR A RIDE con't from p. 26 Chip Sanford, Salesman. I found a home when I started working with the Asheboro dealership. Continuing the tradition of service, Cox’s Double Eagle desires to be a fixture in the community and grow the ridership. As for his favorite cycle? Without missing a beat, Cox tells, “My favorite is the first motorcycle my grandfather ever sold—a 1962 red and white Duo Glide on display in the Asheboro dealership.” And Clark’s favorite? “My father’s 1967 Harley; he’s had it since before I was born.” Born in Oshkosh, WI, Clark has lived in quite a few places with the military. Clark adds, “Wisconsin is too cold; Arizona too hot; NC is just right!” With the Cox family for 11 years, Clark’s story is as Americana as theirs. Hired as a wash guy, Clark now serves as Cox’s right hand man. Family and friends continue to grow the dream to soon 4 generations of Cox family ownership. Visit Cox’s Double Eagle Harley Davidson and start living your dream. Your dream. Your ride. Your way. Start the rumble and let’s go for a ride! �� For more info, see ad. p. 6. Cox's Double Eagle Harley Davidson 7540 NC Highway 15-501 S. West End, NC 27376 Illustration by L. S. Crain, Southern Pines. THE BICYCLE MAN con't. next column p.32 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 127
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