'Bike Angel' In Need of Hundreds of Bicycle Donations for Fire Victims

Children in Middletown who lost everything in the devastating Valley Fire will soon be back on two wheels thanks to the help of an extremely dedicated “angel.”

A community group dubbed the “Bike Angels” is collecting donations of new or gently used bicycles and new helmets so the group can keep a promise made to a little boy in an evacuation center following one of the most deadly wildfires in the state.

In September, longtime Livermore resident Candy Alcott went to Lyon’s in Middletown with 30 bicycles to donate to children.

“These bikes were donated by Del Valle High in Livermore,” Alcott said. “After I gave them away there were still 25 children still in line. One little boy gave me his name, phone number and was so polite that I promised him I would come back. I saw in his eyes that he believed me. His name was Mizriam. Thanks to my Bike Angel friends, and additional donations, I was able to return with 300 bikes! Mizriam chose the first one!”

According to Alcott, the group has already collected and donated 330 bikes, but their goal is to help 700 children and youth.

“Livermore Police Officer Rich Hill gathered money for 43 new bikes,” Alcott said. “Livermore resident Michelle Harlin and her husband, Josh, delivered them to me in Middletown. I gave them away and cried because there were more kids in line.”

Alcott says the mission to replace bikes started with a call for just 25 bikes. She calls the response from the community “a miracle.”

“To a child, it’s something that’s theirs,” Alcott said during a teary interview with KCRA. “These children lost all their toys, all their clothes, all their possessions.”

The brutal Valley Fire, which killed four people, injured four firefighters and destroyed 1280 homes, left thousands of adults and children homeless and with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

Alcott says there are about 100 Bike Angels in the East Bay. Those interested in donating bicycles, helmets, gift cards or money can call Alcott at 925-525-7682 or order bicycles through Walmart in Clearlake. Bikes can also be dropped off in front of New Horizons Preschool located at 405 E Jack London Blvd.

The Bike Angels will be in Middletown on Nov. 14 to give away the next batch of bicycles. Find the Bike Angels on Facebook.

Photos courtesy Candy Alcott