Another great program that refurbishes donated bikes for needy children…

From the Detroit News:
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has added two new partners to its Re-CYCLE for Kids program.

The program allows members of the community to donate bikes and bike parts as well as bicycle tools and accessories to give away to needy children through local charities. Officials have given away about 600 bikes since the program started in February 2006.

The bikes are then refurbished by minimum security inmates who perform work details in the community through the Sheriff’s Office Trusty Camp.

For information and a list of drop off locations, visit www.oakgov.com/sheriff/ or call (248) 858-5000.
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There are habits in life that if you don’t pick them up as a kid, you’re unlikely to pick them up as an adult, e.g. eating right, hunting, smoking, and biking. Sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes it’s not.

I’m reminded of the “give a man a fish” adage. Give a kid a ride to school and they’ll be in class that day. Give them a bike and they’re empowered to ride to school and elsewhere on their own (and be a whole lot healthier.)

A big thanks to Variety on Christmas!

From the Detroit Free Press:
When 12-year-old Jalen Hunt and his brother, 11-year-old Danotis Smith Jr., first set eyes on their new bicycles, they were looking forward to summer so they could go for a ride.

“This feels good,” said Jalen while testing out his bicycle. “This is new. It doesn’t look like my old one.”

More than 165 children like Jalen and Danotis received brand-new bicycles thanks to Variety, a children’s charity that offers support to more than 25 children’s agencies and groups throughout southeastern Michigan. For 12 years, Variety has worked with agencies to identify children who need a bicycle. Some of the children have never owned a bicycle or have never had a brand-new one.

Since Variety began its Bikes for Kids event, nearly 3,000 bicycles have been given away.

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