Buy a bike, help a tyke this Christmas
Community coming together to spread holiday cheer once again
ralphhardin@gmail.com “This is something we came up with to do, to come together as a community to support the local children,” said Gordon Floyd. “And we need help again.”
Floyd and Jerry Kelley came up with the idea behind “Bikes for Tykes” a few years ago and the effort has grown each year.
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File photo BIKES FOR TYKES (cont.)
“This is our eighth year for this,” said Floyd. “It’s something everyone can get behind and be a part of.”
“Bikes for Tykes” collects new bicycles to distribute to kids in need at Christmas time with the help of local organizations.
“We work with CASA, Hope House, the local police departments, churches and non-profits,” said Floyd. “We beat the bushes and raise every nickel and dime we can. Every little bit helps. We don’t want any kids to get left out.”
Bikes for Tykes is sponsored in part by the Arkansas Greyhound Kennel Association and the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Over the last five years, the effort has resulted in more than a hundred local children each year being given bicycles at Christmas, with more than 600 bicycles distributed in total, including more than 150 last year.
“This year, we hope to make it bigger than ever,” said Floyd. “If you can donate a bicycle or two or three, that’s great. If you can donate toward the purchase of a bike, that’s great, too.”
Every dollar matters, and Another way to get involved is the upcoming Breakfast with Santa pancake breakfast fundraiser event. Sponsored by the Christian Motorcycle Association in conjunction with Bikes for Tykes and the Marion Fire Department, the breakfast will be held at Marion Fire Station No. 3, in the River Trace subdivision, on Marion Lake Road, from 8 to 11 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 11.
For a donation, hungry folks can get a complete pancake breakfast and have a visit with Santa Claus to let old Saint Nick know what’s on their Christmas wish list this holiday season.
To make a donation, to contribute to the cause, or for more information, call (901) 574-2448.
