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Business & Tech

Columbia Bicycle Business Supports a Disabled Serviceman

Race Pace, a premier bicycle store in Columbia, comes through for an injured soldier who lost part of his foot in an accident. The store's managers worked their magic and made this Fort Meade sergeant a very happy man.

We often hear about major donations given to help ease the lives of struggling military members—rehabbing homes, job assistance, trips to Disney. But a small effort in this community helped an injured soldier in a very big way.

Sergeant Tom Kowolenko, who is stationed at Fort Meade, lost part of his right foot in a training accident. As he neared the end of his rehabilitation, he needed a road bike to help maintain his foot regiment and continue therapy. But good road bikes are expensive. Very expensive. So Kolowenko contacted a nonprofit group that got in touch with some local good guys, and they made it happen.

Race Pace, a hugely popular performance bicycle store on Oakland Mills Road, made the road bike extremely affordable for the soldier through the efforts of store co-managers Kevin Dolan and Jon Posner.

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“We contacted one of our vendors and told them about the situation and they were happy to help Tom out,” said Dolan.

The vendor was Felt Bicycle, a renowned name in the industry that manufactures more than 140 road and triathlon models. They can run as high as $13,000 fully loaded, said Dolan.

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Joe Habeeb, regional manager for Felt, gave the bike but gave all the credit to Dolan and Posner. “They called, told me the story and I was happy to help. A wounded soldier? Of course,” he said.

Wish For Our Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit group launched in 2009, helps to foster the wishes of those in the armed services. Headquartered in Greenwood, IN, they were contacted by Kowolenko and in turn contacted Race Pace, said Posner.

“I can tell you that Tom was very happy and very appreciative,” said Dolan, who met him when he came to the store to pick up the bike.

“He said he was deeply touched because it was such a kind effort for reasons other than just soldiers arriving home [from war or tours],” said Dolan.

There’s no corporate mandate to get involved in these efforts, explained Posner, but Race Pace has come through many times for truly needy situations. Its efforts in helping Kolowenko are not far removed from the company’s MOto stay healthy through cycling. They have witnessed many success stories after customers purchase and use their bikes, said Dolan.

“It’s been life-changing for many of our customers. They come in looking one way—some with a little extra weight—and after a few months of cycling, it’s hard to recognize them.” 

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