Aubree's to hold fundraiser for boy whose bike was stolen during Heritage Festival preparations
After someone stole Jordan Selano-Reed’s bike as he helped set up a model train display to promote the Ypsilanti Freighthouse during the Heritage Festival, the 16-year-old Ypsilanti resident said his faith in the community was shaken.
But through the actions of a friendly neighbor, Aubree’s and a general show of support from the community, Selano-Reed says his faith in Ypsilanti has been restored.
On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Aubree’s will hold a fundraiser to replace Selano-Reed’s bike. Anyone in the community can bring in a flier for the event and 30 percent of their bill goes toward a fund for Selano-Reed.
“I would say I’m extremely thankful for this,” Selano-Reed said. “Not only with Aubree’s, but also with a lot of the people who I work with at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, the people in the Ypsilanti Model Railroad Club and general community members who have shown genuine concern.
“It means a lot to me it shows that there is more to the community than whoever stole the bike.”
The bike was a gift from the boy's parents as a reward for his hard work in school and life. Selano-Reed is an aspiring U.S. congressman who is described by community members as “wise beyond his years” and is a model student at Divine Child High School.
He is also an avid cyclist who takes day trips across the region on his bike and uses it as transportation to get to the various community events in which he is involved, such as serving on the Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse board. But Selano-Reed’s mother recently lost her job and couldn’t afford to buy him a new bike.
Selano-Reed was devastated when his bike was stolen Aug. 17.
Chad Clay, director of operations for Aubree’s and Selano-Reed’s neighbor, said the boy is always on the bike, so when he read about the theft, he discussed with manager David O’Brien how the restaurant could help.
Normally, the “dine and donate” program offers 15 percent of the restaurant's tabs to a cause and requires that a participating group pass out fliers and promote the event. But for Selano-Reed, Aubree’s is helping print and pass out fliers, holding the event during bike night, upping the contribution to 30 percent and extending the hours people can contribute to 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“We’re all about the community and helping out the best way we can,” Clay said. “We want Jordan to know there are people in the community who do care and aren’t about bringing others down.”
Jordan Selano-Reed’s mother, Helena Selano-Reed, said while she sometimes gets upset when she reads about what is happening in Ypsilanti or Ypsilanti Township, her son always defends his city. She said the show of support has also restored her faith in Ypsilanti.
“The community came through just like I’ve always said they do,” Jordan Selano-Reed said.
Comments
Jordan S-R
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
Hello everyone, I am Jordan, the boy whose bike was stolen. I thought I should say a few words here, seeing as this all involves me... First off, I can't say enough how grateful I am to everyone in the community who has reached out since this happened. It means the world to me, and it shows that there is enough good in the world to outweigh the bad. Second, I want to extend a special thanks out to a few people: Aubree's Pizza, my neighbor Chad, Mrs. Bonnie Penet and Mr. Ed Penet, Jim Nieter, and Tom Perkins. Aubree's and my neighbor Chad have agreed to help fund-raise money for me so I can resume biking. Biking is my mode of transportation and because my mom lost her job this summer, I can't afford a new one. They are helping out more than I ever could have imagined anyone would. It is not a scam, and I am looking to using any money that doesn't go towards a new bike for the Ypsilanti Freighthouse and Model Railroad Club. The Freighthouse has helped to shape my life since I was born, and I remember many Saturdays spent there with my parents and sister watching trains and talking with our many friends there. And this leads me to my next thanks: Mr. and Mrs. Penet. Mr. and Mrs. Penet have both been instrumental in the renovating of the Freighthouse and they have mentored me for several years as I have helped around the building and as I served as a junior member of the board. I don't know where I would be today without them, and both have been wonderfully supportive through all of this. Special thanks goes to Mr. Nieter as well. He has offered to loan me a bicycle until I am able to get one on my own, and for this, I can also not say thank you enough. I have been in contact and hope this deal goes through. Also, he belongs to a model railroad organization that I am a huge fan of, and it was an honor meeting him personally at the Heritage Festival. Final thanks goes to Mr. Perkins, who wrote this article, and that in itself means the world to me. (See next post)
Jordan S-R
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 7:57 p.m.
(continued) In continuation, I want to say that there is plenty of blame to go around with this happening. I turned my back for a few minutes, I had moved the bike two days earlier, I hadn't kept it locked, and it can truly be said that it honestly was my fault. But I have learned from this. It does hurt to have something like this happen. And if you want to blame me, than go ahead. Words are our most invaluable tool in life and they can change things in an instant. Our first amendment guarantees us right to speak our minds, and as an individual and a citizen, I have to say that's pretty dang cool. :) In no other country do people have such an amazing right. But yeah, it was partially my fault. It was also the thief's, and technically, we could all blame a lot of other things too, from the neighborhood, to the garage design! But what matters is that it happened. I claim responsibility for the failures that were truly mine, and I hope people see that. And with all of this, I have been truly humbled. I am a proud person in general, and this accounts from my work at school, my effort with music, and my love of work. In making this mistake, I have been greatly ashamed. I felt like I failed to continue in my image of hard work and diligence. I failed to protect something of my own of great value. And now, I have had to ask for help. It has left me in a unique position, one that I do not encounter often enough, being this humbled. I have been changed by this, and there is nothing quite like opening up, and admitting, "I made a mistake, and I regret it; now I need your support." So in conclusion, thank you again to everyone. This all means more to me than I can possibly say. Gratefully, humbly, and eternally a positive person, Jordan Solano-Reed
kathy
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
From the other article about the bicycle theft: Bob Krzewinski at 9:09 PM on August 21, 2011 I was talking to Jim Nieter today, who belongs to the Ann Arbor Velo Club and Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition, and he has been in touch with Jordan to give him, at no charge, a high end quality bike equivelent to the one that was stolen. For every "Mr. Potter" in this world (like the person that stole the bike), there are also the George Baileys like Jim Nieter. Did this offer "fall through", or is this whole thing a publicity stunt to raise money?
Murf
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:15 p.m.
I was wondering the same thing when I saw this headline. I'd love to hear what happened to this offer.
Moonmaiden
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
Will Aubrey's spring for a lock, also?
JC
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:47 p.m.
Since reading about this bike theft I have started locking my bikes while they are stored in the garage. Now, anyone tempted to steal my bikes will have to come with tools to ride off with one.
newsboy
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.
Had this happen when I was the same age, the police where no help but I had friends in low places all over Ann Arbor. A friend spotted my bike in the Diag locked to a bike rack so I waited by the bike for a hour or so until the thief came to claim it. My bike was custom painted with mods I had made, not another in town like it. I asked where he got the bike from? He told me to f--- off kid none of your business. I got my bike back that day and he got at taste of what it means to respect OPP. Wish I still had that old bike.
eagletrace
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4:13 p.m.
Aubree's continues to show the community how supportive they are when someone needs a hand up. Didn't they hold a spaghetti dinner for the family that lost a child in a fire a couple of years ago? I could be wrong on the exact situation but I know they are very generous and good neighbors. Thank you Aubree's for helping this young man with the ability to purchase a new bike to replace the one that was taken.
Lovaduck
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4:04 p.m.
On another note, AA.com has SO many restrictions on what can be or cannot be said that it is hardly a free forum anymore. I APPRECIATE your desire to keep racist, sexist and homophobic rants, as well as ad hominem name callng off your site, but "no generalizations about groups of people"? Isn't that what the fields of psychology, anthropology, and sociology do. I know you don't want unsupported prejudice. Now, no "victim blaming", oh dear. This'll be removed for lack of relevance to the Aubree's wonderful gesture, but I just thought you should hear this opinion. I know also you have tough jobs monitoring this site!
Lovaduck
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4 p.m.
Good for Aubree's!
5c0++ H4d13y
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
Shouldn't homeowners insurance cover some or all of it?
Jim Knight
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
Comments that blame victims of crime have and will continue to be removed.
Moonmaiden
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
While I understand your policy, in this case, at least, it is really only censorship not allowing a practical point-of-view to be shared.
America
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
It is great to see young people doing community work. I hope he has a bike to ride in the interim to allow him to continue to get around town.