Blessing Bike lives up to its name at Idaho State Veterans Home

LEWISTON, ID — U.S. Army Air Corps veteran Walt Weeks was one of several residents who took a spin on the Blessing Bike Saturday.

“Veterans are the heart and soul of what this country is all about,” said Blessing Bike founder Jill Houser.

The Blessing Bike was inspired by Jill’s mother Rosemary Sorce.

Jill said her mother’s youthful spark and willingness for adventure pushed her to want to make her golden years a little more meaningful and enjoyable. Their solution was a cargo style bicycle retrofitted to carry Rosemary, but $9,000 price was out of their budget.

Instead, Jill asked her husband to take on the task. Since December, they have made 18 Blessing Bikes.

Each one is a labor of love.

On Saturday, members of the non-profit group traveled from Boise to Lewiston to deliver their gift. The donation was made possible by donations through “Idaho Gives” plus money earmarked for the home.

For Idaho Veterans Home resident Walt Weeks his spirits soared that much higher when his son came by for a surprise visit.

Walt’s son lives in North Carolina and flies out to Lewiston once a year to spend time with his father. He was moved to see his father so happy.

Lewiston’s Veterans Home is the third in the state to receive a Blessing Bike.