By Rodger Krause, CPA

I participated in two activities during last year’s PICPA Week of Service, but it was the Reading Bike Hub that struck a chord. I had never heard of it until Franki Aitken, past president of the PICPA Reading Chapter, told me about it. Located in downtown Reading, Bike Hub sells mostly used bikes and products, but it also offers training, education, and social and advocacy opportunities for community residents. As an avid bike rider myself, I was anxious to experience what a nonprofit downtown bike shop offered versus a suburban bike store.

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When our group of volunteers first arrived -- and there were quite a few of us -- we did an inventory. (What else would accountants think of doing!) Then, being a pretty good bike mechanic myself, I started stripping down used bicycles for parts. Bike Hub had all the necessary tools, including metric Allen wrenches, chain breakers, cable cutters, wire strippers, and anything else we needed. After a couple of hours, we had accumulated a nice supply of used parts to provide to the community.

Rodger Krause (r) volunteering at the Reading Bike Hub during the 2015 PICPA Week of Service.

The best part of the experience, however, was seeing young people stopping by for help. One young boy, with a sad face, had a flat tire: Bike Hub promptly repaired it. Another young man came in with a damaged brake: it too was repaired. In return, he swept part of the shop floor. A few young men just hung out at the Bike Hub which, I thought, was a great way to avoid some of the high-risk things that can occur in a downtown neighborhood.

I was inspired that a downtown bike shop could have a great inventory of bike parts while also being a place where youngsters -- whose families might not be able to afford repairs -- can get their bikes fixed and socialize in a safe environment.

As PICPA members, we have to recognize how fortunate we are to be part of a great association of professionals who would have never achieved success without the help and guidance of others. We should all offer to give back some of our valuable time, and it is why I encourage readers to volunteer for an event in your local chapter or at your firm during PICPA’s 2016 Week of Service, Sept. 19-25. And, to bring even more attention to your overall efforts, I also encourage you to Tweet and post photos on Instagram with the hashtag #PICPAcares.

Rodger J. Krause, CPA, is an audit and financial statement specialist in Wyomissing, Pa., and current president of PICPA's Reading Chapter.