Annual Build-A–Bike event keeps growing

By Anne Eickstadt

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
Daniella Davis, age 3 ½, goes through the Safety Course on her new bike with the help of her uncle.

EDITOR

The first ever Build-a-Bike event at Manley’s Belvidere Ford-Lincoln two years ago was a rousing success with 40 kids receiving new bicycles. Last year over 80 new bicycles were collected in their showroom to be given to deserving children.

This year over a hundred bikes were donated for the event. Build-A-Bike is an event where businesses and organizations sponsor and “build” bicycles for youth in the community whose families could otherwise not afford to purchase one for them. The goal is to allow youth the freedom, joy, and health benefits that come along with riding.

This year’s event was held on Wednesday, May 15 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The event was a fun evening where the sponsors and families came together to and the proud new owners of bicycles could smile big for a photo op when they received their bicycles and zip through a bike safety course. Volunteers taught the kids the proper hand signals and Officer Friendly of the Belvidere Police Dept. was on hand to ride with the kids.

Everyone enjoyed a grilled burgers and hot dogs. Kids could jump in the bounce house and enjoyed visiting with the with members of the Belvidere Fire Dept., Belvidere Police Dept. the Boone County Sheriff’s Dept., and other community outreach organizations. The kids got to leave with a bicycle (donated by numerous sponsors), helmet, lock, lights for their bicycles, and lots of goodies and safety information.

Local elementary schools throughout the county worked with the Build-a-Bike sponsors to…

For complete article, pick up the May 23 Belvidere Republican.