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The season of giving has arrived and it is in full swing at Washington’s Russell’s Cycle and Fitness.
The hometown cycle and fitness shop is sponsoring its sixth annual Operation Christmas Bike, a holiday drive in which customers can help to provide those in need with the gift of a bicycle during the holidays.
“It was just one of those things where we called the Children’s Home one year after looking at our used bike inventory,” said owner Joe Russell. “We realized we had some extra bikes and thought we’d call and see if they could use some.”
After discovering the need at the Children’s Home, Russell decided to continue the tradition. Six years later, 283 bicycles have been donated.
“They work with 1,000 clients on a monthly basis,” he said. “Many of these kids aren’t getting anything under the tree.”
The donated bicycles go to Children’s Home clients of all ages.
“We discovered that some of these bikes are going to young adults who are going to use them as transportation to help them provide for themselves or their families,” Russell said.
Today, customers sponsor the bicycles that are donated.
“Our customers will come in and sponsor part of a bike, all of a used bike, all of a new bike, multiple bikes — many times they’ll do that in lieu of gifts,” Russell said.
Customers can also choose to donate used bicycles, which Russell’s employees recondition, donating labor and parts.
Last year, 88 bicycles were donated. This year Russell said he’s shooting for 100. With the outpouring of support he has seen from the community, he said it’s an obtainable goal.
“We’ve seen younger kids — like 3 or 4 years of age — bring in their piggy banks to donate,” Russell said. “So they’re learning the spirit of charity from a very young age.”
Donations will be accepted until Dec. 21, the date Russell plans to take the donated bikes, along with a donated helmet for each, to the Children’s Home.
“It’s the essence and the spirit of Christmas, having a little joy brought into our lives by a gift from someone who cares,” Russell said. “And when for whatever circumstance that’s not happening in your life and the community can come together and make it happen, that’s what really makes it special.
“At this point we see the need never-ending and our desire to help likewise.”
The season of giving has arrived and it is in full swing at Washington’s Russell’s Cycle and Fitness.
The hometown cycle and fitness shop is sponsoring its sixth annual Operation Christmas Bike, a holiday drive in which customers can help to provide those in need with the gift of a bicycle during the holidays.
“It was just one of those things where we called the Children’s Home one year after looking at our used bike inventory,” said owner Joe Russell. “We realized we had some extra bikes and thought we’d call and see if they could use some.”
After discovering the need at the Children’s Home, Russell decided to continue the tradition. Six years later, 283 bicycles have been donated.
“They work with 1,000 clients on a monthly basis,” he said. “Many of these kids aren’t getting anything under the tree.”
The donated bicycles go to Children’s Home clients of all ages.
“We discovered that some of these bikes are going to young adults who are going to use them as transportation to help them provide for themselves or their families,” Russell said.
Today, customers sponsor the bicycles that are donated.
“Our customers will come in and sponsor part of a bike, all of a used bike, all of a new bike, multiple bikes — many times they’ll do that in lieu of gifts,” Russell said.
Customers can also choose to donate used bicycles, which Russell’s employees recondition, donating labor and parts.
Last year, 88 bicycles were donated. This year Russell said he’s shooting for 100. With the outpouring of support he has seen from the community, he said it’s an obtainable goal.
“We’ve seen younger kids — like 3 or 4 years of age — bring in their piggy banks to donate,” Russell said. “So they’re learning the spirit of charity from a very young age.”
Donations will be accepted until Dec. 21, the date Russell plans to take the donated bikes, along with a donated helmet for each, to the Children’s Home.
“It’s the essence and the spirit of Christmas, having a little joy brought into our lives by a gift from someone who cares,” Russell said. “And when for whatever circumstance that’s not happening in your life and the community can come together and make it happen, that’s what really makes it special.
“At this point we see the need never-ending and our desire to help likewise.”
