Monday, May 21, 2012
Unsung Hero: Steve Manier
JOHNSTON CITY - A Williamson County business owner who spends time building custom motorcycles is also quick to help those in need.
Whether it's children facing a life threatening illness or those in Hospice care, Steve Manier- owner of Steve's Customs in Johnston City- is using his talent to make a difference. "I build them in my mind first," says Steve, as he describes his passion for building bikes. He's had a life-long fascination with motorcycles. When he rides, there's always a special feeling. "It's freedom. That's all it is," says Steve. "That's why everybody chases it. Everybody in this world wants to be free." But recently a struggle came bearing down on Steve's family. His father was diagnosed with cancer. The non-profit group Hospice of Southern Illinois provided in-home, end of life care, and as a means of coping, Steve wanted to create a custom-built bike honoring his dad. "I can't do a lot about it. I couldn't control it. But I could control this bike and I could build this bike and do something good with it to give back to Hospice," Steve says. "He wanted other people to know what Hospice care was about," adds Deborah Hogg with Hospice of Southern Illinois. Through Steve's inspiration, "The Healing Journey" was born. Hospice shared Steve's six-month building process on Facebook, as he created a bike that represented the struggle with cancer, and also the healing. "This was touching so many lives across the U.S., not just here in southern Illinois," says Jennifer Vinyard with Hospice. After seeing Steve's creation, so many people felt compelled to enter the raffle for this bike and support Hospice in the process. The winning family from the Quad Cities plans to travel with this motorcycle, sharing what it represents. "When I handed her the keys, my journey was over," says Steve. "I told Rita- the lady who picked it up- they journey was now theirs." Deborah and Jennifer say Steve is a hero to many. In addition to this project, Steve has raised tens of thousands of dollars through poker runs, supporting families of local children facing major health problems. In that sense, Steve has taken part in lots of healing journeys. Including his own- with the help of Hospice of Southern Illinois. "It's about living- not about dying," says Steve. "And these people are Angels on Earth." |
Marion Regional
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