Buck for a Bike

Recipients of brand-new bikes from TurningWheels for Kids

What are your memories of your first bike? For many of us who grew up riding a bicycle, we understand how a bike can make a difefrence in the world of a child, you will appreciate and find that TurningWheels for Kids (TWFK) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a new bike to every underprivileged child that has ever wanted a bicycle. TWFK was founded by Sue Runsvold, a Nurse Manager at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. On July 14, 2011, TWFK announced a Buck for a Bike campaign to raise money for bikes to donate to needy children in Santa Clara County. The goal of the Buck for a Bike campaign is to get at least $1.00 from every one in Santa Clara County’s 1.7 million residents, to build a bicycle endowment fund. Local bike shops are going to be part of the effort by hosting donation boxes. But, your help would be greatly appreciated.

Every year TurningWheels for Kids has a big bike build where 700 volunteers come together to assemble more than 2,000 bikes for needy kids. With the Buck for a Bike campaign, the organization hopes to raise money to provide at least 3,400 bicycles for needy kids in Santa Clara County

Currently, TWFK donates 2,400 bikes in Santa Clara County. The goal is to provide at least 3,400 bicycles to meet demand in Santa Clara County, and to extend operations to the rest of the Bay Area. Some of the agencies that currently distribute the bicycles donated by TWFK include Catholic Charities, Bay Area Rescue Mission, City Team Ministries, San Jose Fire Department and San Jose Family Shelter.

The “Buck for a Bike” campaign will run through December 10, 2011 in order to coincide with the “Big Bike Build.” The annual “Big Bike Build” is when the community comes together to build thousands of bikes for kids in downtown San Jose. Funds raised from this campaign will go towards purchasing the bikes needed for the “Big Bike Build” as well as the “The Bike Doctorz” repair clinics which are currently being held three times per year in low income neighborhoods where children are able to walk their bikes to the clinic safely.

To learn more about the “Buck for a Bike” campaign, please visit turningwheelsforkids.com or “Like” Turning Wheels for Kids on Facebook.