Local groups team up for Bikes for Kids (Updated)

PRESS RELEASE

SAULT SPORTS COUNCIL

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'Bikes For Kids' gets a 'JumpStart'

The Sault Sports Council is pleased to announce that 14 children will be presented with bikes to call their own, thanks to the cooperative efforts of Canadian Tire's JumpStart Program and the Sault Cycling Club's "Bikes For Kids" Project. Earlier this year, Kim Chapman, an Executive member of the Sault Cycling Club, introduced the idea of providing bikes and gear for kids with less access to such things. The project, named "Bikes For Kids" took on a life of its own after Chapman and fellow members of the Sault Cycling Club began fundraising efforts for the initiative. Identifying higher priority children led them to Sherry Saunders, Coordinator for the Brighter Beginnings Children's Program at the Soup Kitchen Community Centre.

"The 'Bikes For Kids' focus is to provide under-privileged children with new bicycles and riding equipment," says Saunders. "The goal…is to promote healthy lifestyle practices and safe riding techniques, as well as offset costs for low-income families that would otherwise not be able to afford these luxuries."

"We want to get bikes to kids who need them and to raise awareness for cycling as transportation and recreation," says Chapman. "We hope to provide them with helmets and locks as well and then teach them how to ride safely."

Sports Council Coordinator, Lorie Springall, linked the groups to the Canadian Tire JumpStart Program. "My intention was to help them get a few bikes for some of the kids but after a meeting with all the key players, Debbie Bouchard from the local Canadian Tire store, figured out a way for JumpStart to meet all fourteen requests. She did a fantastic job. We realize that this funding is a once in a lifetime thing but the kids who are receiving these bikes aren't paying too much attention to that. I know their families are pretty grateful to the Sault Cycling Club and the Canadian Tire JumpStart program for making this happen."

"Sherry's been great to work with at the Soup Kitchen," added Chapman. "We'd like to work with other groups in the city who know of children in need of bikes. The more kids we can help out, the better."

For more information on Bikes For Kids please contact: Kim Chapman, Sault Cycling Club, "Bikes For Kids" Project www.saultcyclingclub.ca

For more information on the JumpStart program please contact: Lorie Springall, Sports Development Coordinator Sault Sports Council Office (759-5309) ************************************************************