Second Annual Build-A–Bike Family Night is a success

By Anne Eickstadt

Shane Weber, age 8, rides his brand new bike through the safety course the Belvidere Police Dept. set up.

Editor

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

Shane Weber, age 8, was the first to bring his new bike to the safety course. He was very happy and excited for his new wheels. “I’m going to ride it home!” he said with a huge grin. (Mom thought otherwise.) BPD Officer Blankenship rode with him though the safety course, making sure Shane knew how to ride safely.

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.

The event was held on Wednesday, May 23 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 zip through a bike safety course and smile big for a photo op when they

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTOS Belvidere Daily Republican
Manley’s Belvidere Ford-Lincoln collected over 80 new bicycles from contributors for the Build-A-Bike giveaway event

received their bicycles. Everyone enjoyed a grilled burgers and hot dogs topped off with ice cream, 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), a helmet (courtesy of General Mills), a lock (thanks to Don Banks with Alpine Bank), lights for their bicycles and lots of…

For full article, pick up the May 30 BDR.