Justin Fender knows a Mike Stainback without wheels is the not the same person he is when he has them.

Mike riding the bike that was stolen.

That's why after learning the man known in the community as ZZ had his bike stolen Tuesday after briefly stopping in a local florist for one of his daily visits, Fender began building a new one.

Fender's involvement wasn't by happenstance. A youth minister at Calvary Baptist Church who fixes used bikes and donates them mainly to Angel's Closet, he built this bike for ZZ earlier this year.

The florist called Fender so he could give a full description of the bike. “I know every piece of that bike.”

After giving police a full description of the bike, Fender set out to find it, combing every place in the city he could think of with no luck.

When he has wheels

It is important, Fender said, that ZZ has a bike. “When he has wheels he goes out more, gets exercise. It makes him happier. That's what keeps him going, joking with everyone.”

The theft of the bike sparked many posts of concern and offers of help on social media Tuesday and included a post from Mike's younger brother, Wayne.

In reading a post on rrspin.com's Facebook page, Wayne said, “I can not tell you how grateful I am to see how everyone in Roanoke Rapids has such concern for him and in his keeping some sort of vehicle to make his daily rounds. It warms my heart to know he is so well thought of in Roanoke Rapids, but I already knew that well before I ever returned to this area.”

Wayne also posted to assure those concerned that his brother does have funds to buy his own bike. “While I despise the fact that someone, once again, stole Mike's bike, it's not exactly on the priority list for the police in Roanoke Rapids to find. In the five years I've been back, Mike has lost a regular bike, has bent the frame due to his weight on another regular bike, had a heavy duty bike that will support his weight, which was stolen, had an adult heavy duty tricycle stolen from our front yard and one scooter he wore out putting over 36,000 miles in under a year.”

A reminder to lock

Wayne gave Fender money for the bike that is now stolen and is encouraging the public that when his brother has new wheels to remind him to lock his bike. “It's not that Mike can't afford a new bike, it's more that he doesn't understand he needs to take care of his possessions,” his brother said. “I'm posting this to assure everyone that we can and will provide Mike with transportation. I'm posting this to assure everyone we are here and quite able to care for Mike and that he is not alone and without family. He and I have been through a lot in the last five years, losing both our parents, and it's harder for him to comprehend some concepts and some he'll never comprehend no matter how many times it's explained, due to him being challenged.”

Said Wayne: “I want to thank all those who are concerned enough to replace his bike with a new one, and would like for everyone to help us encourage him to lock his bike when he's off it when you see him. This concern is what dad was talking about when he asked me to return to care for our family and especially Mike after they passed. We thank you all.”

Everyone looks out for Mike

Fender, who is neighbors with the Stainbacks, said, “Everyone looks out for Mike, he's a fixture.”

Fender is building ZZ a bike made off a 1960s American-made Schwinn frame that will support him because of his short stature. It will include new grips, new wheels and seat. “It will be mechanically sound.”

For Fender, repairing bikes is a hobby and he is responsible for the tall bikes that can be seen in the Christmas parade.

It also fits in with his calling as a minister. “We're serving people and that's what this is, serving people and serving the community.”

An offer from the police

The Roanoke Rapids Police Department donated one of its abandoned bikes to the cause, which turned out not to fit ZZ's need but will fit Fender's bike ministry, whether through donating it to Angel's Closet or donating it to another person in need of transportation.

“ZZ's been in the community a long time,” police Chief Thomas Hathaway said. “That's his main means of transportation.”

The police department typically has someone from The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford collect the abandoned bikes, Hathaway said.

This time there was a local need. Doing this was also part of the police department's mission of reaching out to the community. “When I was a child I had a bike stolen. I remember the officer's concern and the first impression of the officer taking that time to come back from time to time,” Hathaway said.