Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/13/2018
CHICOPEE – Bob Charland has been celebrated nationally for his program of rebuilding bicycles called Pedal Thru Youth and getting them into the hands of deserving children. He has another program, though, which he brought to the Chicopee Police Ddepartment this week.
Charland prepares backpacks loaded with items that can assist the homeless people officers come across. He explained to Reminder Publications the backpacks he donates contain everything from protein drinks to clothing items to hygiene supplies.
Charland makes up backpacks for both men and women and donated enough to have one of each in each cruiser.
Police Chief William Jebb said, ‘We cannot thank Bob enough for this generous donation for our city’s homeless. These care backpacks will assist those that need help, and need the basics in life, such as hygiene products, clothing and water. We are grateful for his generosity, and look forward to working more with him throughout the year.”
This is not the first time Charland has undertaken such a task. He said he has made such donation to six local police departments and it has been “a huge success.”
He explained,“It’s just not giving someone a bag … but building a conversation.”
Charland works for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department as well as in a garage. He got the idea for the backpacks when working on vehicle owned by an “avid camper.” He saw the vehicle’s owner had carefully stored a number of necessary supplies in sealed plastic bags.
Charland believes both his bike program and the backpack program are ways to “rebuild the relationship [between communities] and law enforcement.”
With frequent reports in the press about police violence, Charland believes there are not as many opportunities to show how the majority of police conduct themselves.
“They never ever show the positive side of law enforcement,” he said.
The bike program helps connect children with police in a positive way, he added. That program is so popular that Charland, who has been bringing bikes to schools at a rate of one school a month, currently has a backlog.
To learn more about Charland’s program and how to support them go to his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PedalThruYouth.