My name is Alberto “AJ” Stapleton and in 2007 I participated in the Denver Metro Chamber leadership foundation program. One of our projects exposed me to the homeless problem our state faces. That same year I met Paul Dunne, a man of great faith, whom was to introduce me to Inner City Health Center (ICHC). I was soon asked to join their Board of Directors. In 2008 ICHC was to hold their 10th annual bike fair to benefit children in inner city. After a talk with God, I was led to start a bike drive in my parish. The parishioners of St Mark in Highlands Ranch surprised me by donating 139 bikes that first year. So that spring ,between us and my new friends at Recycle Bicycles, a non-profit cooperative, we gave away nearly 275 used bikes to children. God is good. I was overwhelmed by people’s generosity. That same winter, Myself and Robert Seydel came together to do a coat drive for the homeless. He seemed like the kind of guy who cared enough to make this effort possible. He took the lead on this project. Our parish responded once again. They helped us collect around 500 coats and blankets that first year. We chose The Denver Rescue Mission (DRM) as our recipient for this project. Greta Walker, the Marketing Director for the DRM, was my classmate at the Leadership program. She educated us about the homeless and their needs.
That first year was spectacular. We owe a lot to our Parish. They have walked along side since day one. God couldn’t have given us a better support system for what is to become 3t Ministry.
2009 was an amazing year. During preparations and prayer, God indicated that the number of bikes for that year was to be 600. That was a large stretch from the year before. Non the less God provided again. By now we had 4 churches, 3 elementary schools, several for profit businesses and large corporations helping us with our goal. God only knows how many bikes we raised in total that full year. We did give away nearly 400 bikes during the ICHC bike fair in the spring of 2009. That winter we set off to collect coats and blankets once again. Could we match the number of coats and blankets we did last year? I still remember getting a phone call from Robert Seydel telling me that we will need to rent a 19 foot U-haul truck to deliver the coats and blankets…WOW!!! We had collected over 1000 coats and blankets from our parish. The DRM was so thankful and the smiles were great when they saw the truck pull up to deliver our collection.
2010 marked our 3rd year providing bicycles and coats to those in need. by the grace of God we have given away over 1000 bikes and over 2500 coats and blankets in the last 3 years.
In November 2010 Robert Seydel asked a question that would become the catalyst for our incorporation. “Why haven’t you started a non-profit?” He asked. I remember coming up with several excuses. I finally said “I don’t know why.”
After encouragement from our wives, Nancy Stapleton and Karol Seydel, we decided to pray and ask God for what he wanted us to do. Over the next few days scripture and daily devotionals would answer the questions we asked. We were told to stop being afraid. To take a risk, to use our gifts. But as imperfect human beings we kept questioning and doubting God’s mission for us. We met with Larry Hovrat, a pastor, friend and Ministry leader for over 24 years. He was to reassure us that God want us to start this ministry. ” The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. And he delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23) he wrote to us. However, we are men of little faith and couldn’t grasp God’s will for us. Finally, God had to show us his might and he had a friend of ours call us with exciting news. We were to receive 500 new coats. could we doubt God and the mission he had for us anymore? no, not any more. God, we surrender!!! So Wednesday before Thanksgiving we filed to start 3t Ministry.
With God’s help and through prayer we identified the individuals that would join our families in forming part of our board of directors. Our mission states that “we are a Christ centered, family oriented… … organization.” So with that in mind we asked 3 couples to join our board; Patrick McAllen and his wife Inga McAllen, Steve Myer and his Wife Cindy Myer and Greg Archunde and his Wife Becky Archunde. You can read more about them in their respective pages.
3 t Ministry exists because of a call from God to reach out to those in need. It is a ministry where Charity is our main order.
Our goal for 2011 is to file with the IRS to obtain our 501(c)3 tax exempt approval. Secure a warehouse for our bikes, bike parts, Coats, blankets and other items. We have a goal to own a 19 foot boxed truck to deliver and pick up bikes and raise $82,000 to cover our budget. This budget would allow us to buy bike parts, helmets, bike locks, rental expenses, winter coats, gloves, shoes, socks and other items children and families are in desperate need for.
“With God all things are possible”
