The United Way is calling their seventh annual Bikes For Kids Campaign a success.
Coordinator Michael Graves says the group has put 71 bikes that would otherwise be collecting dust into the hands of people who will use them.
Graves says the program relies on its partner organizations throughout Lunenburg County.
“We raise money and we invest that money and we run programs but we do that in partnership with other organizations. They’re the ones who have the individual or personal relationships with people.”
Graves says those include Better Together Family Resource Centre, Family Resource Centre and Pro Kids organizations across the region.
Other partners include the O’Regan Subaru Cycling Team and NSCC Diesel Repair Students who repair the donated bikes, YMCA Youth Leaders who help move the bikes, the South Shore Centre who store the bicycles.
This year close to 60 percent of the bikes went to girls while half went to kids between the ages of 5 and 10.
Graves says the effort doesn’t just benefit children; 20 adults also received new wheels this year.
“So the bikes that go to the adults are generally their parents, for the most part, and we want parents to cycle with their kids. It makes it more fun, right? Families that play together, stay together – type thing.”
Graves says they still have bikes available.
Anyone interested should contact their local recreation department.
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
