Grandfather starts a non-profit bike shop for kids for the most heartwarming reason

The world isn't all that bad when you hear stories about people who go the extra mile to make the lives of others better. Sometimes what it takes for a person to change the whole course of their life is something seemingly insignificant. However, in the bigger picture, that small thing starts a chain of dominos for kindness in the world. Robert Crane's story is an inspiring example of that.

Crane is a grandfather who used to play poker at the casino for ten years, per 8 News Now. However, seven years ago he abruptly stopped. The reason is something wonderful, because it was since he stopped going to the casino that he opened "Bobs Bikes for Needy Kids." It has been ten years since he has been doing this.

Bobs Bikes for Needy Kids is a place that gives away bikes to needy kids for free under only one condition: the kids need to be there. Crane says, "The child has to be here, I want to put that bike in a child’s hands." He adds, “I had people who pick up bikes, brought them home [and] the kids didn’t like them, they sat in the garage and threw them away.” While this has in no way stopped him, this extra step is to ensure that if there's a kid out there who needs a bike - he gets it instead of it hoarding up in someone's garage.

A news anchor from 8 News Now called Ozzy Mora asked Crane, "It’s been ten years, what keeps you going?" To this, he gave a little insight into his past. He said, "I used to sit in the casino and play poker, I haven’t been in a casino for seven years [and] I never had a machine hug me or say thank you." What he meant was that he did all that for a simple hug, smile and thanks from those little kids. How did he get to know about the fact that kids need bikes? Well, that's a story that started with his grandson. He said, "He needed a bike and my daughter didn’t have the funds herself to buy it." So, he refurbished a bike for him.

However, the kid didn't end up needing the bike. So Crane did what anyone would do - he turned to Craigslist. He said, "I put it on Craigslist and had 80 replies in one hour. And that’s when the lightbulb went off - kids don’t have bikes and that’s what started Bob’s Bikes. He says that his garage is full of bikes for various families. He has been extra busy for the past three weeks because of the holiday season. He is happily working overtime and said, "I’m going to keep on doing this until the man upstairs says different." While he never in his wildest dreams expected Bob's Bikes to get this much recognition, he is more than happy it does. He gives out bikes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Anyone can message him on Facebook for a bike or to donate one. Either way, the rule remains the same - the kid must be present!