Bikes for Kids is a heartwarming yearly event that will take place at Foothill Country Day School on Dec. 19 from 8 to 10 a.m. The event is run by Claremont Rotary and the Interact Club at CHS and benefits underprivileged children in Claremont schools by giving them one of the most desired children’s gifts, a new bicycle. In 1998, former Claremont Rotary president Bill Gruber started the Bikes for Kids program. Gruber loved cleaning and fixing old bikes and then donating them to children in need. The tradition has continued to this day, except now new bikes are purchased for the children.

“Bikes for Kids is an incredible event. It was the event that made me really fall in love with Interact and volunteering. Seeing the children so genuinely appreciative and excited to be receiving a really nice bike is heart warming especially because it is likely to be the only thing they receive for the holiday season. It is truly a great way to feel the holiday spirit of giving,” junior Stephanie Gutierrez said.

Each year, Claremont elementary school children write letters to Santa, which are actually read by their teachers. Then, the teachers nominate those who are the most eligible. Family income and the ability to buy a bike plays a large factor in the nomination. Rotary members donate the money for the bikes, and Coates Cyclery in Pomona offers a generous discount to help Rotary pay for the new bikes. Along with bikes, new helmets and locks are also given to the kids. At the event, they teach them how to properly take care of themselves and their new bicycles. Claremont City Council member Sam Pedroza teaches them about bike safety, for a few years ago he was involved in a serious cycling accident and a bike helmet saved his life. Now, as a real life example, he also attends to talk about the vitality of bike safety. In addition, each year a police officer attends the event to teach them about bike safety. Bridget Healy, the Interact Club Liaison, has been attending this event ever since she joined Rotary in 2009 and has always appreciated the effects of the event on the community.

“I think giving out bikes is great because it encourages kids to exercise and to use cycling as a mode of transportation, which I think is great. It introduces Rotary to a lot of community members who are not familiar with the kinds of service projects done locally,” Healy said.

Rotary and the Interact Club at CHS often overlap to help organize and set up the whole event, including setting up a free breakfast provided for the kids and their families before they receive the bikes.
Last year, about 30 members from the Interact Club helped out, and they are expecting it will be the same this year.

“Bikes for Kids is one of my favorite events that Interact participates in. When we distribute the brand new bikes to these kids, they all have huge grins on their faces. The joy and gratitude shown serves as a simple reminder to not take things for granted and to appreciate each and every blessing,” senior Katie Chen said.

As the year draws to a close, Interact at CHS and Rotary are able to support the community as they always have with the Bikes for Kids charity event. Volunteers are welcome, and if interested, arrive at Foothill Country Day School at 7 am to help set up. The shiny new bikes bring smiles and joy to the children in need, making the holidays that much merrier.