BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The holidays are almost here, and kids are coming to the Christmas City to pick up some early Christmas presents.
“Gift-giving for the holidays,” said Scott Slingerland of the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation.
Gifts from folks just like you, who donate their used bicycles to the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation.
Between October and December, volunteers will work four to five hours on each bike, giving it new parts, getting it ready for donation.
“It’s great. Volunteers enjoy the next generation riding bikes,” Slingerland said.
The program has been going on for six years. 110 bikes will be given away this year, including about 30 Tuesday tonight, and one bike for 6-year-old Naomi of Bethlehem, who was jumping out of her skin with excitement.
The coalition president says the feeling is contagious.
“It’s great. Sometimes we give a bike to a 5-year-old, and the bike comes back the next year when it’s outgrown. It’s wonderful,” said Board President Bill Meiklejohn.
You can sign up to reserve a bicycle at the Coalition website.
That’s the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, which will be moving into their new workspace at the Walnut Street Garage next month.