A family from Egypt is helping their neighbors in Mountlake Terrace.
The Massoud brothers, Harvy, Hany and Hila, own Harvy’s Bike Shop at 19920 Highway 99 in Lynnwood. They recently took in used bikes, refurbished the equipment, and donated them to the Concern for Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace.
They’ve made more than 50 low-income children very, very happy.
Making kids happy with bikes is not new to Harvy Massoud. A Rotarian, he has helped collect hundreds of bicycles for clubs and a car dealership and puts on bicycle safety rodeos.
“I do things for needy kids,” Massoud said.
He came to America from Egypt on 7-7-77, with nary a dime in his pocket. He stayed with friends and fixed bicycles in his apartment, and repaired two-wheelers for coworkers at Stevens Hospital, where he worked for several years.
The Massoud brothers operated a bike shop out of a truck at Highway 99 and 220th Street in Edmonds. He has had the Lynnwood shop for eight years.
Pam Martinez found Harvy Massoud when she was looking for bikes for kids whose families are served by the Concern for Neighbors Food Bank.
“I’ve always wanted to give and help,” said Martinez, 59, of Lynnwood. “Since I’ve gotten involved in the food bank, I’ve discovered endless ways.”
She has a “Free Garage Sale” room set up at the food bank at 4700 228th St. SW. She hopes to make doll clothes and Christmas decorations.
“Did I mention we have 300 kids to do Christmas for?” Martinez said. “Kids need to give, too, so we have a room they go to to pick out a gift for mom and one for dad. Then teen volunteers help them wrap the gifts.”
But what to do about long summer days with no bicycles?
Martinez found Harvy’s Bike Shop.
“The bike program was a fluke. I heard one of our kids say he wished he had a bike and before I knew it I learned that about 100 of our 300 kids were bikeless. Well, I believe every kid should have a bike, so, I went to Harvy.”
She can’t say enough about the shop owner. He agreed to take in used bicycles and repair them for the kids. The day I visited the store, he scrubbed a helmet until it sparkled.
“What a guy,” Martinez said. “He didn’t even hesitate.”
Massoud told her he would do everything he could. And Larry Merwin with the Lynnwood Kiwanis delivered a truckload of helmets, pretty blue, green and red ones in small, medium and large sizes.
“It’s been better than I ever dreamed,” Martinez said. “I wish you could see the faces and hear the squeals. These kids never ever dreamed they would have their own bikes.”
Those who would like to give a bicycle or helmet to a needy child can deliver goods to Harvy’s Bike Shop at 19920 Highway 99, Lynnwood. Martinez said kids at other food banks can use any extra donations.
“I love finding out what the families need and finding ways to give to them, especially the moms and kids,” Martinez said. “And we always need food.”
In her quest to find support for low-income neighbors, she said she is humbled by the generosity of the Massoud brothers.
Perhaps men from Egypt, who came from a poor family, knew what it meant for kids to have bikes. I am impressed by those who learned our language, earned their citizenship, and opened their own business.
But what does Harvy Massoud miss about his homeland?
“Not much,” Massoud said. “Just my friends.”
He’ll never know how many new friends savor the joy of pedaling around town.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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