Donations needed for Boise Bicycle Project’s annual holiday giveaway for children

Christmas is coming up quickly, and soon families will be huddled around a festive tree — perhaps hot cocoa in hand — frantically tearing through the presents.

One of the coolest memories I have is my brother and I being led out to the garage to discover our new bikes, which were obviously too cumbersome to wrap and stow under the tree.

For a kid, a bicycle has to be one of the top five greatest gifts of all time.

And now you have the opportunity to give a child this cherished memory.

The Boise Bicycle Project has an annual tradition that brings joy and happiness to hundreds of children during the Christmas season: the Holiday Bike Giveaway.

For this year’s giveaway, scheduled for Dec. 18, BBP plans to hand out 500 bikes to kids ages 2-11 who were referred “by local nonprofit organizations, schools, social workers, after-school programs, and other like-minded organizations,” according to its website.

However, in order to customize the dream bikes that these children submit via drawings, BBP needs some cycles.

Do you have a bike that your child doesn’t ride anymore or has simply grown out of? Or maybe just an older bike or two cluttering up your garage or storage unit for far too long?

Donate ‘em to the bike drive.

BBP needs your gently used bicycles of all sizes, free of rust and damage, as well as bike parts — tubes and tires mostly, but also lights, locks and even new helmets would be appreciated. And if you could take the bike to a shop prior to donating it to get it tuned up, tires inflated, etc., that would be even better.

If you don’t have a bike to spare, no problem. You can donate funds or volunteer your time.

R&R BBQ on 8th Street in Boise donated $3,090 to BBP following its grand opening in October for this year’s holiday program.

For more information on how you can get involved with the Holiday Bike Giveaway program, go to boisebicycleproject.org, email info@boisebicycleproject.org or call 208-429-6520.