The trusting young cross-country bicyclist who laid his head down in Hannibal’s Nipper Park Monday night, and who awoke to the jaded realization that his bicycle and all his belongings had been stolen while he slept, was overwhelmed on Friday by the realm of the generosity and compassion exhibited by Hannibal residents, following a newspaper story of his plight.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Ty Robinson felt stranded and alone in what he considered to be hostile environment. On Friday, he awoke to a community that reached out to him with compassion and generosity.
His face now easily recognizable from the photo printed on page one this newspaper’s Friday edition, help came to him from all directions. A motel clerk found a battery charger for his phone. An agency took him shopping at Walmart. There were offers of bicycle donations, free meals and lodging.
And compassionate people - all ages and from all walks of life - hand delivered donations to the Courier-Post business office to help get the young traveler back on feet.
Ty spent Friday afternoon getting settled into upgraded housing, thanks to the coordination of the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau. At suppertime, he sat down to a wholesome meal, thanks to a local restaurant. Offers of help from bicyclists across the state and locally gave him optimism that he would be able to find a replacement bicycle.
The news of his situation, as spread by other GateHouse newspapers across the Midwest, helped raise awareness of both the stolen bicycle and the young man’s plight.
At least one clue as to the bike’s whereabouts was emailed to the Courier-Post.
A Hannibal city councilman offered to help police gather surveillance tapes from downtown businesses, and Bobby Boland - a recent theft victim himself - put up a $1,000 reward for the bike’s return.
Ty said after he gets back on the road and finishes his cross country trip, he will write a long letter to this newspaper, thanking everyone for the kindness they have shown to him this week.
On Tuesday, he will meet his mother in St. Louis, where she will be attending a conference.
|
|
|
The trusting young cross-country bicyclist who laid his head down in Hannibal’s Nipper Park Monday night, and who awoke to the jaded realization that his bicycle and all his belongings had been stolen while he slept, was overwhelmed on Friday by the realm of the generosity and compassion exhibited by Hannibal residents, following a newspaper story of his plight.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Ty Robinson felt stranded and alone in what he considered to be hostile environment. On Friday, he awoke to a community that reached out to him with compassion and generosity.
His face now easily recognizable from the photo printed on page one this newspaper’s Friday edition, help came to him from all directions. A motel clerk found a battery charger for his phone. An agency took him shopping at Walmart. There were offers of bicycle donations, free meals and lodging.
And compassionate people - all ages and from all walks of life - hand delivered donations to the Courier-Post business office to help get the young traveler back on feet.
Ty spent Friday afternoon getting settled into upgraded housing, thanks to the coordination of the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau. At suppertime, he sat down to a wholesome meal, thanks to a local restaurant. Offers of help from bicyclists across the state and locally gave him optimism that he would be able to find a replacement bicycle.
The news of his situation, as spread by other GateHouse newspapers across the Midwest, helped raise awareness of both the stolen bicycle and the young man’s plight.
At least one clue as to the bike’s whereabouts was emailed to the Courier-Post.
A Hannibal city councilman offered to help police gather surveillance tapes from downtown businesses, and Bobby Boland - a recent theft victim himself - put up a $1,000 reward for the bike’s return.
Ty said after he gets back on the road and finishes his cross country trip, he will write a long letter to this newspaper, thanking everyone for the kindness they have shown to him this week.
On Tuesday, he will meet his mother in St. Louis, where she will be attending a conference.
