The annual effort to give bicycles to needy children for Christmas is underway. On Tuesday, for the 19th year, Bikes for Brains started raising money.
Founder and organizer, Sandy Seeley, says her goal this year is 8,000 dollars. And with that money she’ll be able to buy up to 130 bikes.
"We have absolutely wonderful donors here in the Quad Cities, and many who wish to remain anonymous. It's nothing for us to get a check for 200, 500, or a thousand dollars. I mean it's just wonderful."
Seeley says the importance of bikes for children was recognized by Doctor Benjamin Spock who wrote a very influential book for parents in the 1940’s and 50’s, called “Baby and Child Care.”
"He said the most important thing for children growing up is a set of blocks and a bicycle. With the blocks, they learn their numbers, they learn the alphabet. With the bike, they learn balance and they get exercise."
She says many low income families can afford blocks, but not bicycles.
Helping Bikes for Brains this year is Walmart which will assemble the bikes and sell them at a discounted price, and Amhof Trucking in Eldridge, which will transport the bikes from Walmart to the King Center in Rock Island where they’ll be handed out to kids from several social service agencies in the Quad Cities on December 16th.
The Moline Pilot Club will donate helmets and show the kids how to ride safely.
(tax deductible donations can be mailed to:
Bikes for Brains, c/o Queen’s Parlour, 171 19th Avenue, in Moline, or dropped off at the salon)
