Help a child receive a bike. Make Free Bikes 4 Kidz your cause on November 17. #GTMD16
https://www.givemn.org/organization/free-bikes-4-kidz
Riding a bike is one of the great joys of childhood. It’s a practical lesson in responsibility, it’s a mode of transportation and it’s a lifelong tool for maintaining health.
Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) wants every child to have this experience no matter their family circumstance or socio-economic background. FB4K exists to give low-income families and children bikes by collecting, refurbishing and distributing used bikes to kids in need. We give kids a reason to exercise and improve their physical and mental health while experiencing that slice of childhood joy and freedom.
In 2008 we collected 300 bikes, refurbished them with an all-volunteer base and gave them away to children in need. In 2015, we collected 5,512 bikes and set a new Guinness World Record, “The Most Bikes Collected in 1 Day.” In 2016 we matched that amount. It takes two months and over 2,000 volunteers to help collect, clean, refurbish and repair each bike. Every bike is carefully inspected and quality controlled before being matched with it’s happy rider.
FB4K works with over 150 social services, civic organizations and other nonprofits to distribute donated bicycles. These agencies identify deserving youth who are then carefully matched with a properly fitted bike and helmet.
Our 2 month refurbish stage culminates in our Bike Giveaway Weekend, December 3 – 4, 2016 – a celebratory and rewarding gift-giving weekend. FB4K represents the largest bike giveaway program in the US and occupies an important and under served segment of service to the low-income population.
gttm-fb4k (FB4K elf, Steve, will tell you all about it!)