Home > Fit City > Archives > 2009 > December > 03 > Entry
Bikes For Kids
Remember the feeling you got as a kid, when you got a brand-new bike?
The freedom! The independence! The thrill of pedaling down the street, away from home, off on a great adventure!
The JB & Sandy Morning Show on radio station Mix 94.7 hopes to raise enough money to provide 800 new bikes, helmets and locks to needy kids in the Austin area this season. So far, though, fund-raising is off to a slow start, says show host JB Hager.
“In a couple of weeks we may be in a complete panic,” he says.
Over the last 13 years, Bikes For Kids has given away about 12,000 bikes. (That’s Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, above, helping at the giveaway last year.)
One presentation stands out. About three years into the program, JB & Sandy gave bikes to eight kids from a family who had just immigrated to Texas from Viet Nam.
“They were all riding around the parking lot, talking in broken English about how back home getting a bike is like getting a car,” Hager says. “It was pretty neat.”
The disc jockeys started the program six months after starting their radio program in Austin.
“There are lots of great charities that give kids what they need — coats, blankets, school supplies and food,” Hager says. “We asked ourselves ‘What do kids really want more than anything?’ Most kids’ coolest moment, especially during the holidays, is getting a brand-new bike.”
I still remember the bike I got for Christmas one year — purple with a sparkly banana seat. It was beautiful!
Donate to Bikes For Kids (or nominate a recipient) online here or stop by one of the following locations to do it in person:
- Friday, Dec. 4, 6-10 a.m., H.E.B. Four Points, 7301 N. FM 620
- Saturday, Dec. 5, Noon-2 p.m., Southpark Meadows, 9600 S. Interstate-35
- Tuesday, Dec. 8, 7-9 a.m., H.E.B., 600 W. William Cannon
- Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6-10 a.m., Freescale Oak Hill, 6501 W. William Cannon Dr.
- Wednesday, Dec. 9, 3-7 p.m., Freescale Parmer Lane, 7700 W. Parmer Ln.
- Friday, Dec. 11, 6-10 a.m., H.E.B., 10710 Research Blvd., Ste. 200
- Saturday, Dec. 12, Noon-2 p.m., University Oaks, 201 University Blvd. (IH-35 & University Blvd.), Round Rock
- Monday, Dec. 14, 6-10 a.m., Whataburger, 2740 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park
- Tuesday, Dec, 15, 7-9 a.m., Whataburger, 6301 W. Parmer Ln.
- Wednesday, Dec. 16, 7-9 a.m., Whataburger, 2011 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway
- Friday, Dec. 18, Distribution Day, 6-10 a.m., Mellow Johnny’s, 400 Nueces St.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Comments
Austinites love to be heard, and we're giving you a bullhorn. We just ask that you keep things civil. Leave out the personal attacks. Do not use profanity, ethnic or racial slurs, or take shots at anyone's sexual orientation or religion. If you can't be nice, we reserve the right to remove your material and ban users who violate our Visitor's agreement. Click here to report comment abuse.
By jb
December 3, 2009 6:42 AM | Link to this
Pam, thanks again for the love. We can’t thank you enough!!!! Much appreciated. jb
By Rhejeanne B
December 3, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
You brought back a real great memory for me. One Christmas I and my lil brother woke up before anyone else and we walked into the living and standing in front of the tree were two brand new bikes. We knew at that point that the world was our oyster and couldn’t wait to ride them. But since we had seen them before the official time we knew we had to go back to bed but we were so excited we couldn’t. I’m going to make it a point and donate some money, to some one else dreams come true!!
By LA
December 3, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
Your link is broken. It doesn’t have a period in 94.7
By Pam LeBlanc
December 3, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
Thanks LA. I got it fixed! Pam
By victoria
December 7, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this
i am uneployed at the moment and i would like to no if you can donate some bikes for my kids victor hes 5 yrs old and cameron shes 4 yrs old or how can i apply….
Thank you victoria samudio 512 552 2585By Pam LeBlanc
December 7, 2009 5:29 PM | Link to this
Victoria, contact the radio station at www.mix947.com. Pam