Christmas Bike Drive Brightens Holidays For 56 Families

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A few of Santa’s helpers from the Pinellas County employee ranks met at the Courthouse on Friday and rolled out 56 children’s bicycles for needy families as part of the County’s 34th annual Christmas Bicycle Drive. Bicycle recipients were identified by the County’s Human Services Department.

“We’re very excited about the generosity of County employees from all levels of the organization, and we’re pleased to be able to participate in the event this year,” said Andrew Pupke, director of the County’s Facilities and Real Property Division, which spearheaded the drive in coordination with Human Services.

The County raised a record $14,000, but was only able to purchase 56 bikes due to inventory shortages related to COVID-19. Remaining funds will be donated to two organizations that serve children in need, the Hispanic Outreach Center and Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services (PEMHS), and also provide for a Christmas in July event in which children will receive new bicycles before school starts.

“This is an opportunity for employees to give back to the community through donations to buy bicycles for children in need,” Pupke said. “We had a very robust year in terms of the amount of money collected.”

This press release was produced by the Pinellas County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.