Lake Forest police donate bikes to help those in need

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Lake Forest Police Department was quick to respond to Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart’s call for bicycles that can be re-used in ways that truly make a difference in people’s lives. The all-girls college preparatory high school began a used bike collection April 18, which will be open for public participation at the school Saturday, April 21. Between 9 a.m. and noon that day, bicycles of any size in repairable condition as well as gently used kids’ bikes can be dropped off at the Woodlands campus, 760 E. Westleigh Road in Lake Forest.

Four members of the Lake Forest Police Department got the community’s participation off to an early start April 20 by dropping off 16 bikes and two wheels from its “lost-and-found.” According to Sgt. Kevin Zelk, evidence technician/property room supervisor, police officers recover items from places like the train stations, shopping areas, parks and schools as well as at the many special events held in Lake Forest throughout the year.

“We keep them for at least six months, making every attempt to reunite them with their owners,” he said. “Persons missing items are encouraged to contact the police department or check the Found Property section of its website. Items such as bicycles not claimed after six months often are auctioned off or donated to worthy causes.”

Woodlands Academy’s current effort is being done in conjunction with Working Bikes of Chicago, a nonprofit organization that gives donated bicycles new life by redistributing them as tools of empowerment in local and global communities. The bicycles collected during this drive will be refurbished by Working Bikes and then donated to its local and international partners.

Locally, Working Bikes donates to individuals and partner organizations in the Chicago area, providing transportation to people in homeless transition, refugee resettlement and youth empowerment programs.

The organization notes that in developing countries, a bicycle can truly change the life of an individual. In areas plagued by poverty, high levels of unemployment and lack of reliable transportation, a bicycle can help provide access to jobs, education, medical attention and other resources. For more information about Working Bikes, visit www.workingbikes.org.

If you have a bike you’d like to donate, but can’t drop it off April 21, you can do so by May 3. Just call Woodlands Academy, 847-234-4300, ahead of time to make arrangements.

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Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It’s part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries. A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy’s identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. For more information about Woodlands Academy, please visit www.woodlandsacademy.org