thedrifter
12-08-08, 08:26 AM
A big-hearted brigade
Two groups bring Christmas cheer to children in need
By Rob Johnson
981-3234
The dicey economy won't stop Santa from giving 613 brand-new bicycles to needy children in the Roanoke area this Christmas, thanks to his helpers among the Star City Corvette Club and the U.S. Marine Corps.
"People and companies stepped up to donate money for this. We have $25,000 worth of bicycles, thanks to a lot of big hearts," said Billy Teaford, a Corvette Club member who has been involved with the Toys for Tots Bicycle Brigade since it began in 2003. This year, he coordinated it.
The Corvette enthusiasts teamed with the Marines' Bravo Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion detachment in Roanoke on Saturday to deliver the bikes to the Salvation Army warehouse near Tanglewood Mall. Most were assembled by the Marines and stored at the Marine Corps Reserve Center in Northeast Roanoke.
No stage of this charitable community effort can be taken for granted, including the assembly of the bikes. Parents who have battled with instructions to piece together bicycles or other Christmas toys might well take comfort to know that the Marines worked in teams of three to assemble the Huffy brand bikes. Some were purchased directly from the Ohio manufacturer and others from area stores.
"After you do two or three, you get the hang of it," Cpl. Sarah Miller said.
The Salvation Army will distribute the bicycles to children in low-income families. Their parents are required to provide proof of financial need, Salvation Army Capt. Richard White said. He explained that the nonprofit group considers more than applicants' current income.
"There could be some special circumstances -- emergency expenses or work hours being cut back. In this economy, a lot of people have problems," White said.
Most of the bikes delivered Saturday already are designated for particular children. But there's a shortfall of about 200 bikes for children whose requests The Salvation Army has approved, said Ginny Kendrick, a longtime Corvette Club member.
"This is the most bicycles the program has ever delivered, but there's even more we'd like to be able to do," she said.
Most of the funds for the bicycles were donated by individuals, including club members and their families, co-workers and neighbors. Other contributions came from the Marines and several companies led by Kroger, White Tire, Roanoke Cement Co., Separation Technologies and Berglund Chevrolet.
The idea for the bicycle drive originated when several Corvette Club members gathered for dinner in 2003, but the original goal was relatively modest.
"We thought, what if 40 club members bought bikes for kids?" said Kendrick, noting that the club has 85 members. From that beginning, the concept's appeal spread to outsiders.
The club contacted the Marines early in search of a partner and to make sure that bicycles as gifts wouldn't be redundant in light of the leathernecks' long-running "Toys for Tots" Christmas effort.
The Marines welcomed the bike idea, Kendrick said, reasoning that their toys were appropriate mostly for small children. "They said a lot of 13- and 14-year-olds" in needy families "might just get something like a scarf or a sweater," she said.
Thus the Corvette Club decided to purchase bikes in sizes that would fit riders in the age range of about 8 to 14. In the campaign's first year, 450 bicycles were collected.
Some used bikes have been offered, but Teaford said, "We draw the line at new. You couldn't give both new and used and have some kids think, 'Does Santa think less of me?' "
The club has considered focusing at least partly on other gifts, such as computers or video games. "But even though we're the Corvette Club, the first set of wheels for every one of us was a bicycle," Kendrick said. "Bicycles get kids out in the fresh air, exercising. They're great."
The bicycles are scheduled to be picked up by pre-screened parents at the Salvation Army warehouse from Dec. 18 to 20. The parents are being notified in advance of bicycle pickup times.
Before then, more volunteers will check the bikes' tire pressure and make sure all components are correctly adjusted.
The club is still hoping to find more donors in time to grant appeals for the 200 bicycles that it can't afford, Teaford said.
If more bicycles can be purchased in time for Christmas, the Marines have a minor request, Miller said. "Could they be already assembled? Just kidding."
Ellie
Two groups bring Christmas cheer to children in need
By Rob Johnson
981-3234
The dicey economy won't stop Santa from giving 613 brand-new bicycles to needy children in the Roanoke area this Christmas, thanks to his helpers among the Star City Corvette Club and the U.S. Marine Corps.
"People and companies stepped up to donate money for this. We have $25,000 worth of bicycles, thanks to a lot of big hearts," said Billy Teaford, a Corvette Club member who has been involved with the Toys for Tots Bicycle Brigade since it began in 2003. This year, he coordinated it.
The Corvette enthusiasts teamed with the Marines' Bravo Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion detachment in Roanoke on Saturday to deliver the bikes to the Salvation Army warehouse near Tanglewood Mall. Most were assembled by the Marines and stored at the Marine Corps Reserve Center in Northeast Roanoke.
No stage of this charitable community effort can be taken for granted, including the assembly of the bikes. Parents who have battled with instructions to piece together bicycles or other Christmas toys might well take comfort to know that the Marines worked in teams of three to assemble the Huffy brand bikes. Some were purchased directly from the Ohio manufacturer and others from area stores.
"After you do two or three, you get the hang of it," Cpl. Sarah Miller said.
The Salvation Army will distribute the bicycles to children in low-income families. Their parents are required to provide proof of financial need, Salvation Army Capt. Richard White said. He explained that the nonprofit group considers more than applicants' current income.
"There could be some special circumstances -- emergency expenses or work hours being cut back. In this economy, a lot of people have problems," White said.
Most of the bikes delivered Saturday already are designated for particular children. But there's a shortfall of about 200 bikes for children whose requests The Salvation Army has approved, said Ginny Kendrick, a longtime Corvette Club member.
"This is the most bicycles the program has ever delivered, but there's even more we'd like to be able to do," she said.
Most of the funds for the bicycles were donated by individuals, including club members and their families, co-workers and neighbors. Other contributions came from the Marines and several companies led by Kroger, White Tire, Roanoke Cement Co., Separation Technologies and Berglund Chevrolet.
The idea for the bicycle drive originated when several Corvette Club members gathered for dinner in 2003, but the original goal was relatively modest.
"We thought, what if 40 club members bought bikes for kids?" said Kendrick, noting that the club has 85 members. From that beginning, the concept's appeal spread to outsiders.
The club contacted the Marines early in search of a partner and to make sure that bicycles as gifts wouldn't be redundant in light of the leathernecks' long-running "Toys for Tots" Christmas effort.
The Marines welcomed the bike idea, Kendrick said, reasoning that their toys were appropriate mostly for small children. "They said a lot of 13- and 14-year-olds" in needy families "might just get something like a scarf or a sweater," she said.
Thus the Corvette Club decided to purchase bikes in sizes that would fit riders in the age range of about 8 to 14. In the campaign's first year, 450 bicycles were collected.
Some used bikes have been offered, but Teaford said, "We draw the line at new. You couldn't give both new and used and have some kids think, 'Does Santa think less of me?' "
The club has considered focusing at least partly on other gifts, such as computers or video games. "But even though we're the Corvette Club, the first set of wheels for every one of us was a bicycle," Kendrick said. "Bicycles get kids out in the fresh air, exercising. They're great."
The bicycles are scheduled to be picked up by pre-screened parents at the Salvation Army warehouse from Dec. 18 to 20. The parents are being notified in advance of bicycle pickup times.
Before then, more volunteers will check the bikes' tire pressure and make sure all components are correctly adjusted.
The club is still hoping to find more donors in time to grant appeals for the 200 bicycles that it can't afford, Teaford said.
If more bicycles can be purchased in time for Christmas, the Marines have a minor request, Miller said. "Could they be already assembled? Just kidding."
Ellie