Of interest … Kirkland Flowers
Excerpts from wgntv.com:
After 27 years of service, a Chicago firefighter is finally hanging up his gear and retiring. But for Kirkland Flowers, his journey with the community is far from over.
Seeing that many kids in underserved neighborhoods near the firehouse were skipping school, Kirkland came up with a creative solution—using love, humor, and even a bike wrench to make an impact. He started what would become the FITCH program, short for Firefighters/Paramedics In The Community Helping.
The idea was simple: bring your report card to the firehouse, and if you have good grades and perfect attendance, you could earn a bicycle. This small act sparked something big. Bikes began to flood in—from new ones to old and even refurbished models, all colors and sizes.
At first, the program targeted one school where attendance was as low as 20%. Within just eight months, it jumped to 45%, and after a year, it reached 92%. That success led Kirkland to expand the program to other schools in low-income areas. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of bikes have been given out.
Time Magazine once called him the "Pied Piper" of the neighborhood, highlighting how beloved he is by the kids. His approach isn't just about giving bikes—it's about rewarding effort and responsibility. The message is clear: if you work hard in school, you can ride your bike to success.
Kirkland’s efforts were especially impactful during the time when Chicago’s public housing projects, like the Robert Taylor Homes and Ida B. Wells, were still standing. Firefighters were serving thousands of people in just a few blocks, and many kids were left without guidance or structure.
Even after the projects were demolished, the FITCH program continued. Last month alone, the station gave out 70 bikes to students in some of the city’s toughest West Side neighborhoods.
In 2010, Kirkland traveled to Haiti after a devastating earthquake. Alongside six other firefighters, he helped transport medical supplies and bikes to the disaster zone. There, a bike was more than just transportation—it was a symbol of hope and survival.
Now 63, Kirkland has officially retired from the department. But he still visits the station, fixing tools and tuning up bikes. He believes that getting kids off the streets and into school is one of the best ways to keep them safe and on the right path.
His reward? Watching the joy on a child’s face when they walk out with their new bike. “It’s like sunshine,†he says. “You can’t explain it—you have to be here to see it.â€
The program also offers a unique rental option: kids can rent a bike for 25 cents a day, and when they return it, they get their quarter back. It’s a small investment with a big impact.
As he prepares to step down, Kirkland is looking for someone to take over the program he’s built and nurtured over the years. For him, it’s not just about bikes—it’s about changing lives, one child at a time.
Thanks Dan
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