260 Volunteers Help Build 700 New Bikes For Kids In Need

PLEASANTON, CA — About 700 East Bay children in need will be getting a brand new bicycle this holiday season thanks to the kindness of about 260 volunteers. This is the fourth year Kids Bike Lane, an East Bay-based nonprofit, has hosted its bike-build event at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.

Organizer Don Derego said hundreds of volunteers meet at the fairgrounds early on the first Saturday in December to build the bicycles, which will be given to more than 20 local charities and programs. Derego said it the volunteers usually assembly the bikes in less than five hours.

This year, Cornerstone Church tackles the arduous task of keeping the even green by recycling the mountains of castoff cardboard leftover after the event.

“We really appreciate the support of everyone who makes this happen,” Derego told Patch.

The mission of Kids Bike Lane is to provide bikes for kids for recreation and transportation. They also refurbish bicycles and host repair clinics. The organization is funded by one corporate sponsor and relies on donations and fundraisers to supplement funds.

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Photos courtesy Siu Ginn