Portland Wheelers is deeply grateful to accept an extraordinarily generous gift from the Decker and Kerman families. This gift funds two new adaptive trikes to help build our active participation program and supports the bike parade known as Lulu’s Ride at the annual Biking is for EveryBODY Festival.
The Decker and Kerman families made this gift in memory of their daughter, Lila (Lulu) Kerman.
Lulu was a Portland resident for ten years and greatly admired the work of Portland Wheelers. She found her calling at a Portland senior living community and loved her clients, just as they loved her. She took special pleasure in helping residents safely transfer to the adaptive bicycles provided by Portland Wheelers, allowing many of them to experience the joy of cycling. She especially enjoyed the days when her dear friend Tony Scala, one of the organization’s dedicated volunteers, arrived to lead an outing.
“Lulu’s connection to Portland Wheelers—the fact that many of us met and worked with her to deliver rides to her clients—makes this a bit more emotional for all of us,” said Pete Ryan, Portland Wheelers executive director. “The gift is so impactful in a financial way, of course, but it’s equally powerful and incredibly meaningful for us to be gifted a role in carrying Lulu’s memory with us when we ride.”
Her family shares, “Lulu loved this city—its ocean, its walking trails, and its vistas—and it is entirely fitting that she be remembered by helping others to share the joy, freedom, and beauty she found here. We hope that every ride on Lulu’s Ride carries her spirit of adventure forward.”
Portland Wheelers board president, Karen Schilling, shared a tandem ride with Lulu’s mom, Nancy Decker, in the inaugural Lulu’s Ride bike parade. “Sharing that first ride with Nancy was incredibly special. And humbling. We’re so appreciative and honored to have a small part in Lulu’s story,” Karen said.
Photos:
Top image: Nancy Decker preparing to ride; addressing the crowd before the parade.
Bottom photo: Festival attendees taking a lap on Lulu’s Ride.