The annual Bikes for Brains campaign is officially underway. Organizers say this year they want to raise $7,500 to buy 150 bicycles and helmets for needy children. 66 bikes will go to children in the ROE's 33 Early Childhood Classrooms and the bulk of the remaining to Rock Island Head Start families. Some of those families are recent immigrants and refugees from war torn nations. Children in those families tend to be slightly older and need bigger and more expensive bikes. The group will also be gifting qualified children identified by the Children's Therapy Center, Youth Hope, Winnie's Place, and The Project.
Mark your calendar for Monday, Dec 19th for the give away from 10:30 to 5:30 PM at the Martin Luther King Center located @ 630-9th Street in Rock Island. Anderson's Bookfair Company in Aurora, Illinois has agreed once again to provide several gently used books for each of the children. And the Quad City Pilot Club will provide helmets and safety lessons via a puppet show throughout the bike giveaway day.
Each year Bike 'N Hike, Queen's Parlour, and the Rock Island County Regional Office of Education (ROE) team up for this special campaign. According to Sheila Burns, with the ROE, local donors continue to make this fund drive very successful every year. "More than one thousand children have received their first bike because of this project. We have a loyal group of folks who donate every year. We want to thank each and every contributor no matter what the contribution!"
A bike with training wheels costs about $50. Donors can contribute any amount toward a bike. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to:
Queen's Parlour
171-19th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265
Donors can make check payable to: Bikes for Brains
