Pastor Alex Ackermann is anxiously awaiting to hear whether Vineyard Longmont Church will receive one of the two shuttles that Eight Black Airport Shuttle is donating to nonprofits the first week of June.
Eight Black Airport Shuttle — which started with Boulder Shuttles and Longmont Shuttles — acquired Green Ride Shuttle in February 2022, along with a couple of shuttles that were nearing the end of their lives, according to Eight Black Owner Simon Chen.
While living in Boulder County for nearly the past seven years, Chen is aware of many nonprofit organizations in the area that do important work, he said. For this reason, instead of selling the run-down shuttles — which would’ve generated an insignificant profit for Eight Black — Chen decided it would be better to donate them to nonprofits.
“There are a lot of great nonprofits that are driving real change, from helping abandoned animals to underprivileged kids to church groups who run shelters for the homeless population,” Chen said. “I think there’s a huge need for transportation and if (Eight Black) can make their lives a little easier by donating a vehicle, we’re happy to do so.”
Chen, who values the democratic process, set out to choose the shuttle-receiving nonprofits by reaching out to Black Eight’s extensive contact list. In an email describing his mission, Chen requested that community members respond to him with a nonprofit organization they would like to nominate for the shuttle giveaway.
Chen was astonished by the high amount of engagement from the community, who flooded his inbox with pleas to include their preferred nonprofit.
Later, Chen compiled a list of 16 nonprofits nominated by the community and created a webpage where individuals can vote for the two organizations they wish to receive a shuttle.
After voting closes at the end of May, the two nonprofits with the highest vote counts will each be awarded a shuttle. Both shuttles will be refurbished, painted white and imprinted with the nonprofit’s and Eight Black’s logos.
For Ackermann and his wife — who opened the doors to Vineyard Longmont Church during the pandemic — winning a shuttle in the giveaway would enable them to reach a larger spiritual audience, which has been a bit of a challenge for the pastors so far.
Today, Ackermann uses his own vehicle to transport two church-goers who are in wheelchairs to and from church services, so winning the shuttle “would be awesome for me,” he said with a laugh.
If Vineyard Longmont Church wins the shuttle, Ackermann looks forward to reaching more individuals experiencing homelessness who are interested in joining the church, he said.
