It’s amazing what can happen when people and the community rally around and support a project. Take the United Way of Lunenburg County’s Bike for Kids as an example. This project has many moving parts that all came perfectly together. So perfect in fact that this year 61 refurbished bikes were given to local kids and their parents. This brings their 3 year total to 193 bikes distributed to Lunenburg County kids and families that may not be in a position to purchase one themselves.
That is a good thing because independence, self-confidence, and a healthy lifestyle are just some of the benefits a child will gain by owning his or her own bike. An added benefit is that again this year the Bikes for Kids program provided 11 bicycles to parents allowing them the opportunity to have quality adventure time with their kids. As well, thanks to the support of Michelin Bridgewater and the Bridgewater Police Service over 40 bike helmets were included with this year’s bike giveaway.
This year 35 bikes were given to girls and 26 to boys. Of those, 41 bikes were given to kids under the age of 11. 7 bikes were given to youth 12 – 15 and 2 bikes to youth 16 – 20.
Again this fall with the incredible support of the Bridgewater Mall, the United Way of Lunenburg County will once again be collecting new and gently used bikes. Simply drop off a bike(s) at Centre Court (Entrance B) between Monday September 21st and Friday November 6th. Over the winter dedicated volunteers from Bike Barn in Lunenburg, the O’Regan Subaru Cycling Team and Spin Your Wheels will repair the bikes in preparation for a June 2016 bike giveaway.
In the spring of 2016 The Better Together Family Resource Centre, The Family Support Centre and PRO Kids in Bridgewater, Chester and MoDL will once again work with families who would benefit from having a bike. All of the organizations mentioned above have donated their time or services making this another zero cost event.
To donate a new or gently used bike to Bike for Kids, to find out more about how the United Way of Lunenburg County is putting your donations to work helping Lunenburg County kids, youth, families, seniors and communities, to see their community impact videos, to see the requirements necessary to obtain a grant, to sign up for their e-newsletter and/or to make a secure online donation, please visit their website at www.lunenburgcounty.unitedway.ca. To ask a question e-mail office@lunenburgcounty.unitedway.ca The United Way of Lunenburg County is all about improving lives locally.
