Looking to Christmas, 2009!

So we had to take Christmas 2008 off to re-group!  Seems we need to deal with some issues regarding 'liability' for the future, as a precautionary measure.  Be sure to check in on our progress!

Thanks, and Happy 2009!

Christmas 2007!

137 NEW BIKES!!!!  That was our GRAND total for 2007!!  We can't even begin to thank everyone who helped with the KidsOnBikes! effort this year...from all of the folks who donated money to all who donated time and positive energy!  It was just incredible.  To see the bikes lined up at The Salvation Army, complete with new helmet, red bow,  'Be A Safe Bike Driver' instructions, and a child's name on the seat, was something we'll never forget!  Every bike went to a child in Bend, Redmond or LaPine.  It was great to be able to really coordinate with The Salvation Army to match the right sized bike to the kid whose family requested one.  It took a little more work, but we think it was a big improvement over last year.  We're learning as we go!

So thanks again to all who helped!  And have a terrific 2008!  Look for KidsOnBikes! again in the fall!

Karen, Paul, Shirley and Byron

Christmas is near!!

We're astounded at the response this year, and we're still working to get as many bikes to kids as we can!  We'd like to say a word about our great partners!

The Salvation Army...

This is our 2nd year partnering with The Salvation Army.  To many of us, the name conjures the image of a bell ringer outside the grocery store...to KOBs, they're a lot more!  They act as the primary clearing house for Holiday giving in Central Oregon, working with almost all area agencies to ensure aid and support is extended to the greatest number of families possible.  They've helped us match the right bike to the right child,  and picked up and stored all the bikes until delivery... always grateful and always extending their helping hand to anyone in need.  We're grateful for their commitment to our community!

Sunnyside Sports...

It's also year #2 with Sunnyside Sports!  It's been a pleasure to work with Don, Susan, Gary and their great team!  From the start, they were 110% behind the idea of KOBs!  They've placed the orders and taken delivery of 100+ bikes and helmets this year...looking for the best pricing; storing bikes until assembly; their mechanics volunteering their time to build and safety-check the bikes; their staff handling the donations!  What a crew!  They are the best!

Our Contributors...

It's so wonderful to live here in Bend, where people come together when someone needs help; understand the importance of being a part of something bigger than ourselves; and remember how it feels to ride our first new bike on a cold December morning!  This could not have happened without all of you!  No coal in your stockings...!

Another 36 new bikes!

We built another 36 new bikes at Sunnyside Sports yesterday!  It was a great team effort, and we were able to hand them off to The Salvation Army this morning!  Note the cool purple cruiser!  

We assembled another 20 bikes Monday morning!  These are really nice little bikes...good quality and darn cute!

Our first early morning 'bike build' for Christmas 2007! We had some amazingly generous donations right off the bat, so we placed the first order for 25 bikes...had them all built by 10 AM, thanks to the 'elves' at Sunnyside Sports! With this first batch, we're already a quarter of the way to our goal! Thank you!