The 32nd Police Precinct in Harlem was one of my stops and as I pulled up on The Kindness Bicycle, I saw that a group of teenagers was having a bake sale out front. These 5 teenagers are part of the Law Enforcement Explorer Program of the New York Police Department. These kids feel the need to help their neighborhood by being a part of something very productive. They want to be part of a long term solution to what happens in their neighborhood and their lives.
Law Enforcement Explorers is a program designed to educate young men and women, ages 14-20, about law enforcement. A uniformed member of the service in each precinct, Police Service Area and Transit District acts as the on-site Post Advisor for the Explorer Program. The program focuses on six areas: career, service, leadership, social, fitness and outdoors. The Explorers Program encourages young people to pursue a law enforcement career. There are currently close to 4,000 Explorer posts at the NYPD.
To me, the bake sale was a success long before they sold their 1st item. I bought some great tasting cookies for the ride. Thank you Explorers!

The words written on The Kindness Bus has inspired many people across the world since The Kindness Bus Tour began over three years ago. One of my favorite things to do is to sit nearby anonymously and watch and listen to people who take in its powerful messages. I was on a break from riding The Kindness Bicycle and watched for about an hour, over 50 people took pictures, and that was watching from only one vantage point. There were probably just as many taking pictures from the other side.
One of the most inspiring outcomes of this mission thus far is the support and acknowledgement from professionals in the mental health business. Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Counselors have engaged me in long conversations regarding the curative properties of living a kind life. I never guessed more correctly on doing something in my life.
I love The Kindness Bus. It inspires without me having to say a word.

The streets of Harlem were packed with pedestrians as I rode The Kindness Bicycle over the course of the past few days here. This allowed for maximum exposure as I made my way to several Firehouses and Police Precincts. I love having a huge audience as make my way through traffic.
John, a proud Firefighter, at the West 143rd Street Firehouse, known as the “Harlem Hilton,” walked me through his station while showing a keen interest in The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes.
The 32nd Precinct in Harlem was very busy while visiting. One of the Officers on duty told me that the Police Athletic League “would love to hear about this.” I’ll be contacting them next week.
The days on The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes just keep getting better and better.

New York is a city that has more international visitors and residents than almost any other city in the world. This is one of the many reasons I love spending extended amounts of time here. I am able to connect with people from around the globe.
Twice over the course of the past three days, I met four naval officers from Argentina. My first connection was at the south end of Central Park as they were posing at a statue of Argentinian hero, Jose de San Martin. The statue was a gift from the people of Buenos Aires to the people of New York City. Today they were in the park and they flagged me down to take photos with me. It was so great to hear how proud they are of their country and how they love being in the United States.
Today I spent the day west and north of  Central Park visiting several Precincts and Firehouses. The consensus was unanimous, there is great interest in The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes.
Thank you to Phil near Gramercy Park for the interest and support.

I started the day with a visit to a couple of Firehouses I had already visited. Each Firehouse has 3 crews who are on duty every 3rd day. I visited these Firehouses knowing the crews would be different from my 1st visit. Both were aware of my previous stop because of the flyer posted at the Firehouse.
My next stop was the Friends of Firefighters with an invite from Meghan who gave me a tour of their facility. It also just happened to be their once a month breakfast for Firefighters and their families today. Many retired Firefighters listened to and shared stories over breakfast this morning. They made me feel like one of the family as the coffee and food kept coming.
I visited four more Firehouses and a Police Precinct this afternoon, two of the Firehouses invited me in for lunch and another for dinner.
Thank you to all the Firefighters for giving me their time over lunch and dinner. This was such a great day!

I talked with more people today about The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes than I have since this trip has begun. The Kindness Bus is parked near the Natural History Museum and many families from across the world are visiting New York City, and many come to visit this first class museum. I enjoy talking to families about Kindness and Heroes.
With all of my conversations today, I only had time to visit two Firehouses. Firefighter Nate on South Street which houses Engine 4 and Ladder 15, was out with his crew washing the Engine. The response I received was great. Nate told me of some upcoming Wounded Warrior events that Firefighters are participating in to raise funds for this worthy cause. I am hoping to make at least one of the days.
Conrad, a Firefighter at Beekman Street, which houses Engine 6, spent a good deal of time talking with me and some residents who had gathered during our outside visit. It was a nice way for local residents to connect the Heroes at this Firehouse.

I visited Court Officers of The State of New York after spending time at the Memorial at their building. Three of their very tight knit Police “family” lost their lives on September 11th. I am hoping to have an “official visit” later this summer to talk with many more of these officers as time permits in their scheduling.
Fifi, an E4 Army Hero (ret) who now works in banking security, came out to check out my ride, she says seeing things like The Kindness Bicycle renews the way people view the Heroes I am riding for.
Thank you to The Natural History Museum for the free passes to all the exhibits and special features and for some copies of the flyer i hand out. The Kindness Bus has been parked nearby for the past week and is getting a lot of views by employees and patrons.