Orchard Elementary School would like to participate in National Bike to School Day, scheduled for May 4, 2016; however, many of the children at this school do not have bikes to ride to school.
Many children have both parents working, and their only form of transportation is by foot or on bicycle. When these children have a bike of their own, they will be empowered by the feeling that they are not dependent on someone to give them a ride: they will be able go where they need to, when they need to. And they will also have a tool that gives them the freedom to get out in the fresh air and exercise, thereby enabling them to be more physically active.
We would like to provide bicycles for the children who do not have them. Billings TrailNet member Dale Sekora has challenged our members to donate used bikes or contact me to buy a new bike for these children. We have been given money by some very caring members of Billings TrailNet, to purchase bicycles to give to these children for the holidays.
This week through Dec. 10, we will collect bikes and present them to the children at a special assembly on Dec. 18. During Bike to School Day, we plan to teach bicycle safety, take children on a tour of routes in their community, and introduce children to the fun of bicycling.
More than 30 people have pledged to either give money or donate a new or used bike. This has brought us a more than $1,000 in cash to buy bikes, eight new bikes and 20 used bikes!
Between all of the various amounts in actual bike and cash donations, we will have more than bikes to give to kids for the holidays this December!
Kristi has been shopping for good deals on bikes, and will start buying them next week.
Save these Dates:
- By Monday, Nov. 30– Please contact Kristi if you’re interested in contributing money or a bike to this project.
- By Thursday, Dec. 10– Please deliver any used or purchased bikes to Kristi’s house
- Saturday evening, Dec. 12– Holiday Party and bike assembly/repair event.
- Mechanics needed! Food will be provided. Brings tools and bike stands if you have them please.
- Bike and money donors: Please join us and refreshments to share with our generous mechanics, and join in the festivities as those who are adept at bike assembly and repair will be refurbishing and shining up the used bikes, and tightening up the new ones
- Friday, Dec. 18– bike giveaway at Orchard Elementary assembly, at 1:00 pm.
Other important information:
- Please consider buying and bringing a lock! The kids will need to lock up their new bikes.
- If you are donating a used bike, please make a $ contribution of at least $10-$20 to help with purchasing new tubes, etc.
- Dean at The Spoke Shop will give a discount to anyone who buys equipment for the bike they are donating to this project. If you would like to buy a part (like a seat) to freshen up a used bike, just give them the code word: Kristi’s Bike Project for the discount.
- If you can fix bikes or know anyone who might be able help with this, please contact Kevin Odenthal at events@billingstrailnet.org, or at 698-2569. He will be coordinating the mechanic party.
Happy Holidays! I’ll be in touch as the project moves along. Please share this project with anyone who may be able to help provide children’s bikes, locks, lights or mechanic skills.