Rotary Club Donates To iCan Bike Alpharetta

ALPHARETTA, GA -- The Rotary Club of Alpharetta recently donated $500 to an initiative designed to help children with disabilities learn how to ride bicycles.

The club donated the funds to iCan Bike Alpharetta, which hosts an annual event in July organized by Alpharetta police officers Amanda Clay and Allen Elfreth.

The officers' dedication to the cause also earned them the inaugural Service Above Self award given by the club.

iCan Bike is part of the national non-profit organization, iCan Shine, whose mission is to provide unique learning opportunities in recreational activities for people with disabilities.

The event has been held for the past seven years in Alpharetta, and encourages area children with disabilities to learn how to ride a bike with the help of volunteers and specially adapted roller bikes available through iCan Shine.

This program is a week-long program for Alpharetta. Over the course of five, 75-minute sessions, the participants work towards the goal of riding a bike unassisted. It takes approximately two to three volunteers per rider for the event to run successfully.

“Alpharetta Rotary is proud to play a small part in this year’s event," said Club President Jason Binder. "Our Rotary volunteers enjoyed the experience to help teach a child how to ride a bike and see the joy on their faces. We expect the club to be more involved in this rewarding event for many more years to come.”

Volunteers from the Rotary Club include Binder, Cokkie Eaker, Karen Nolen, Alex Paulk and the daughter of Jo Ann Shepard.

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Photo: from left to right, Karen Hipes, Alpharetta Public Safety Director Gary George, Amanda Clay, Allen Elfreth and Rotary District Governor Raymond Ray. Credit: Rotary Club of Alpharetta.