electrical bike Free Bikes 4 Kidz-Detroit wants donations now greater than ever
COVID-19, step apart.
Detroit’s annual Free Bikes 4 Kidz occasion is on this weekend, and this system wants donations now greater than ever.
Towards the backdrop of a pandemic that has upended our lives, medical consultants say kids have to be exterior staying energetic and wholesome, which is why bike donations are particularly wanted this yr. There’s additionally a world bike scarcity because of extra folks desirous to be exterior through the well being disaster, making this yr’s assortment particularly difficult.
So when you’ve got some wheels to spare, here is what it’s essential do.
On Saturday, bikes may be dropped off from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at one in all 4 Henry Ford Medical Facilities and 5 Residence Depot shops. The used bicycles might be become vacation items for teenagers because of the efforts of Henry Ford Well being System, Residence Depot and different organizations who’re teaming up this yr for the third annual bike assortment.
This year’s collection sites are:
- Henry Ford Medical Heart – Cottage, 131 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms
- Henry Ford Medical Heart – Fairlane, 19401 Hubbard Drive, Dearborn
- Henry Ford Medical Heart – Lakeside, 14500 Corridor Street, Sterling Heights
- Henry Ford Medical Heart – Royal Oak, 26300 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak
- Residence Depot shops in Northville, Farmington, Rochester Hills, Troy and Woodhaven will settle for bikes as effectively.
Bikes can be donated on to Free Bikes 4 Kidz warehouse at 411 Piquette in Detroit, till early December.
Group teams can maintain separate bike drives as effectively.
“We all know that holding children energetic will increase their probabilities of staying wholesome, and doing effectively in class and in life. We additionally know that this yr is very difficult financially for a lot of households,” stated Paul Szilagyi, Henry Ford’s vice-president of main care and medical facilities. “Offering bikes on the holidays will make an enormous distinction for fogeys, who work onerous to offer a particular present for his or her kids.”
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Every bike comes with a free helmet.
The pandemic, nonetheless, has modified this yr’s assortment.
The most important distinction is that the in-person giveaway has been deserted this yr with a view to keep away from the dangers of spreading COVID-19. As an alternative, this system will ship bikes out in bulk to organizations that request them for youngsters they serve.
Organizers additionally need to comply with COVID-19 security tips as they put together the bikes for youngsters. This includes amassing the bikes, repairing them and working them via security inspections earlier than they are often handed off to their new homeowners.
Regardless of the well being disaster, Free Bikes 4 Kidz native organizers stated they by no means thought-about canceling. Slightly, as cofounder Bob Barnes stated, they applied stringent security protocols to drag off this much-needed program for teenagers.
This yr’s assortment aim is the identical as prior years: greater than 1,000 bikes.
In 2018 and 2019 metro Detroiters generously donated 3,300 bikes.
The group has little question it will probably do it once more.
“We really feel optimistic and decided. We hope individuals who bought new bikes may have previous bikes they’re able to half with,” Barnes stated. “We’re doing our greatest to serve a group that has been onerous hit by the pandemic. All children deserve an opportunity to pedal right into a more healthy childhood with a motorcycle — and so they want it greater than ever in 2020.”
Tresa Baldas is an award-winning courts and authorized points reporter and was named the 2020 Richard Milliman ‘Michigan’ Journalist of the 12 months by the Michigan Press Affiliation. Contact her at tbaldas@freepress.com. Or comply with her on Twitter @Tbaldas.
