With Thanksgiving just around the corner, attention naturally turns to Christmas, and the County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up now for its annual bicycle giveaway.
Now in its 35th year, the Sheriff’s Christmas Bike Giveaway is asking the public for donations to help them give new or reconditioned bikes to needy children in SLO County.
In the spirit of giving, reads a news release from the Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla, “we are currently seeking donations for our Christmas Bike Giveaway.”
The program was begun in 1989 under retired-Sheriff Ed Williams and was continued by his successors, Sheriff Pat Hedges and current Sheriff Ian Parkinson. The program takes in used bikes donated by the public and has inmates at the County Honor Farm recondition them with new parts, giving the inmates some practical work experience and a chance to spread some cheer.
“The Sheriff’s Honor Farm is the assembly point for bicycles that are donated and in need of repair,” Cipolla said. “The program instills a positive work ethic, self-respect, and a sense of worth to the community.”
The department is asking for donations of new bikes, new helmets or monetary donations for replacement parts, Cipolla said. The donations are made through the non-profit Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation and are tax deductible. “We will be accepting adult bicycles,” Cipolla said, “but we prefer children’s bicycles since they are in high demand.”
And if readers know a youngster up to 15-years old in need of a bicycle, see the Foundation website at: slosheriff.org and click on the “Community Resources” link at the top of the page. Then click on the “Forms and Applications” link in the drop-down menu to find the application for a free bike.
All applications are due by Thursday, Nov. 21. The bike giveaway will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Honor Farm on Oklahoma Avenue (off Hwy 1 at Kansas Avenue).
A lot of folks help out with this program. “The Sheriff’s Office,” Cipolla said, “would like to thank the Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation, Bike SLO County [Bike Kitchen], The SLO Bike Club, The Sandlot Group of San Luis Obispo, San Luis Garbage, Rita’s Rainbows and County of SLO Health Agency for their continued support and donations to the Sheriff’s Bike Program.”
To make donations of children’s bicycles or new helmets, Cipolla said to drop them off at any of the Sheriff’s Patrol Stations, like the one in Los Osos on 10th Street, or at the Honor Farm.
To make a monetary donation, make checks payable to: Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation, and send to: Attn. Bicycle Fund, P.O. Box 3752, San Luis Obispo CA 93403.
