On Thanksgiving Day, BikeAthens kicked off its annual Holiday Bikes for Kids project at the Bicycle Recycling Program workshop.
According to BikeAthens, “The Holiday Bikes for Kids project refurbishes used bicycles for donation to under served youth in the Athens area. The sixth annual Holiday Bikes for Kids project seeks to provide a happy holiday season to underprivileged youth by providing them with a quality, fully refurbished bicycle.
Bicycles are cleaned, polished and returned to working condition by volunteers and then donated to local agencies and schools for distribution. In the past, BikeAthens has provided bicycles to Fowler Road Elementary, Athens Area Homeless Shelter, Catholic Charities and other social support agencies. Each bicycle is delivered with a new helmet. This year volunteers hope to deliver 50 bicycles.”
“I still remember the joy of receiving a new bicycle for Christmas” said Peter Norris, a board member for BikeAthens, “and I hope to pass that joy along.”
“Many years ago I wanted to volunteer on Thanksgiving day but found that traditional volunteer activities were already booked up. The bicycle project provides another way for folks to volunteer on that day” says Norris.
According to the press release issued by BikeAthens, the project will continue to repair bicycles during its regular shop hours; Sundays 2-4 PM and Wednesdays 6-8 PM until the week of Christmas. Individuals seeking to donate bicycles can drop them off at these times. BikeAthens’ bicycle repair shop is located in studio 6 of the Chase Street Warehouse (149 Oneta Street). Additional information and directions available at www.bikeathens.com.
BikeAthens is a recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the range of transportations choices in Athens-Clarke County .
