Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Restaurant workers replace special pair of wheels
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Dan Bates / The Herald
Still holding a cleaning rag, Red Robin employee Greg Bading is called to the bar area, where Karen Meinhold surprises him with a new bicycle on Monday. Bading's co-workers pitched in for the bike after learning his old one was stolen.
EVERETT -- Greg Bading is known as a good storyteller, a music lover and a man with an easy laugh.
After someone stole Bading's blue K2 bicycle three weeks ago, his co-workers noticed his soaring spirits start to dip.
For Bading, who is developmentally disabled and lives on his own, a bicycle is freedom and independence.
"He was pretty devastated when he lost his bike," said Jared Montoya, 21, who works with Bading at an Everett Red Robin and has friendly rap battles and singing competitions with him.
Bading got the bike as a gift from his mother for his 43rd birthday. He is going on 46.
It was swiped from a restaurant on Evergreen Way when he made a quick stop to use the restroom on his way home on a Friday night.
"That's how he gets around," said Karen Meinhold, a bartender at the Red Robin in Everett.
Incensed by the theft, Meinhold started taking up collections to buy a new bike. She asked, and in some cases cajoled, co-workers to pitch in.
Her effort paid off Monday morning, when restaurant employees surprised Bading with a new red Diamondback mountain bike.
About an hour before opening time, they gathered near a cluster of high tables.
The general manager asked Bading to join the group.
Bading, who is stout with a receding gray crewcut and neatly tucked red shirt, walked toward the group, holding a white polishing rag.
He thought he might be in trouble for something, he later said.
As the ribbon-topped bike was wheeled into the restaurant, Bading's jaw dropped and his eyes grew wide.
His boss laid down the law: It's yours with conditions.
No. 1, you have to lock the bike when you're not riding it.
No. 2, don't get it stolen.
"Oh my gosh!" Bading exclaimed, taking the bike by the hand grips. "I can't believe this."
Jennifer Huard is Bading's case worker with Work Opportunities, a Lynnwood-based nonprofit that helps people with disabilities find employment.
She helped find him the job at Red Robin about a year ago. Since then she has helped train him and checks in once a week.
Bading has tried a number of jobs over the years, she said.
He has tried janitorial work, paper shredding, fast food. Those jobs never worked out.
In April 2008, Bading was hired by Red Robin. Three days a week, he helps prepare the restaurant for opening. He polishes brass rails, washes the window, puts silverware in napkins and fills salt and pepper shakers.
Huard, who started with Work Opportunities in 2006, has actually known Bading for about seven years.
She and her husband, Justin Huard, are volunteer coaches with the Special Olympics and have had Bading on their soccer and basketball teams.
Jennifer Huard said being close to her uncle, who is developmentally disabled, helped inspire her to help people with special needs.
She's happy that Bading's found the right match with his co-workers at Red Robin.
"I knew who he was, and knew there was a place for him: The right environment with someone who would understand him," Huard said.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429, dchircop@heraldnet.com.
After someone stole Bading's blue K2 bicycle three weeks ago, his co-workers noticed his soaring spirits start to dip.
For Bading, who is developmentally disabled and lives on his own, a bicycle is freedom and independence.
"He was pretty devastated when he lost his bike," said Jared Montoya, 21, who works with Bading at an Everett Red Robin and has friendly rap battles and singing competitions with him.
Bading got the bike as a gift from his mother for his 43rd birthday. He is going on 46.
It was swiped from a restaurant on Evergreen Way when he made a quick stop to use the restroom on his way home on a Friday night.
"That's how he gets around," said Karen Meinhold, a bartender at the Red Robin in Everett.
Incensed by the theft, Meinhold started taking up collections to buy a new bike. She asked, and in some cases cajoled, co-workers to pitch in.
Her effort paid off Monday morning, when restaurant employees surprised Bading with a new red Diamondback mountain bike.
About an hour before opening time, they gathered near a cluster of high tables.
The general manager asked Bading to join the group.
Bading, who is stout with a receding gray crewcut and neatly tucked red shirt, walked toward the group, holding a white polishing rag.
He thought he might be in trouble for something, he later said.
As the ribbon-topped bike was wheeled into the restaurant, Bading's jaw dropped and his eyes grew wide.
His boss laid down the law: It's yours with conditions.
No. 1, you have to lock the bike when you're not riding it.
No. 2, don't get it stolen.
"Oh my gosh!" Bading exclaimed, taking the bike by the hand grips. "I can't believe this."
Jennifer Huard is Bading's case worker with Work Opportunities, a Lynnwood-based nonprofit that helps people with disabilities find employment.
She helped find him the job at Red Robin about a year ago. Since then she has helped train him and checks in once a week.
Bading has tried a number of jobs over the years, she said.
He has tried janitorial work, paper shredding, fast food. Those jobs never worked out.
In April 2008, Bading was hired by Red Robin. Three days a week, he helps prepare the restaurant for opening. He polishes brass rails, washes the window, puts silverware in napkins and fills salt and pepper shakers.
Huard, who started with Work Opportunities in 2006, has actually known Bading for about seven years.
She and her husband, Justin Huard, are volunteer coaches with the Special Olympics and have had Bading on their soccer and basketball teams.
Jennifer Huard said being close to her uncle, who is developmentally disabled, helped inspire her to help people with special needs.
She's happy that Bading's found the right match with his co-workers at Red Robin.
"I knew who he was, and knew there was a place for him: The right environment with someone who would understand him," Huard said.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429, dchircop@heraldnet.com.
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