Last year was the largest supply of bikes the team received in one single year since the start of Santa’s Bike Force. (Photo from Santa’s Bike Force’s Facebook)
ORLANDO | The KindRED Pride Foundation returns to Joy Metropolitan Community Church Dec. 16 with Santa’s Bike Force, an annual event that helps supply local kids with their first bike.
The event, which was adopted by KindRED Pride last year, got its start in 2003 by Tom Christ and Billy Looper.
“We just felt like we needed to do something for the kids that Christmas,” Christ says, “so we sent out an email blast and surprisingly to me we raised $6,000. We went a bought the bikes and we had 30 people over at the house helping to put bikes together that Christmas Eve. Now you can buy the bikes already put together, which we do. Makes it so much easier.”
Now in its 18th year, Santa’s Bike Force has given out over 900 bikes since its start, last year giving away 107 bikes, the most in one year.
“This year we are hoping to do at least 110,” Christ says. “The whole goal is to help kids have that first bike experience. We get them for six-, seven-, eight-year-old kids, and each kid will get a bike and a helmet.”
Last year, with the pandemic causing events to socially distance, KindRED Pride had to develop a new process for handing out the bikes to the kids.
“Before, the kids would come in, sit on Santa’s lap and get photos taken, well now because of COVID, Joy MCC has a giant parking lot across the street, so now we do drive-thru Santa’s Bike Force,” Christ says.
The event will begin at noon for the volunteers with a bike pick-up time for the kids at 4 p.m., with Santa and Mrs. Claus making an appearance. Sonny’s BBQ will provide food for all the volunteers and Se7enBites will be supplying cookies for everyone.
This year brings some new challenges for Santa’s Bike Force, most notably the issues with the U.S.’s supply chain, which is why KindRED Pride is getting an early start on the holiday bike shopping.
“One of the challenges this year is not only the lack of bicycles but the prices have increased,” Christ says. “So anyone who would like to donate, KindRED Pride is a 501(C)3 so all donations are tax deductible. We raised $12,000 last year and we think we can do better this year so we are hoping to raise $15,000.”
Mayor sponsors so far this year include Kennon Adkinson with Sonny’s BBQ, John Lundsten with LOD Advisory Group, Bill Kitchen with US Thrillrides, Regions Bank, Cathy Keene with J. Meyers Insurance, Daniel and Christopher with CDW Electrical and Trina Gregory-Probst with Seven Bites.
Lat year, Santa’s Bike Force’s beneficiaries included Healing the Children, FACT Foster Care, Joy MCC Church, Orlando Dream Center and One Heart for Women & Children.
“It’s just a great, feel-good event,” Looper says, “and a wonderful way to kick off your holiday season.”
For more information and to donate, go to SantasBikeForce.com. If you would like to volunteer, you can reach out by email to Billy@KindREDPride.org.
