For the ninth year in a row, local businesses and a state agency are teaming up to ensure 100 deserving preschool children receive their holiday wish--their first bicycle?for Christmas. Over the past eight years Bike 'N Hike, Queens' Parlour and the Rock Island County Regional Office of Education have led the campaign to make Christmas merrier for over 100 needy children.
A bike with training wheels costs $40. Donors can buy ½ a bike... or one bike....or five. Whatever works in this economy.
A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th at 10:00 a.m. at Queens' Parlour (171-19th Avenue in Moline) to outline the group's new goal and thank a local club for donating money for 100 helmets. Last year 160 children received bikes and helmets because of generous contributions to the "Bikes for Brains" campaign. Organizers hope to raise a similar amount this year. Available at the news conference for interviews will be the project leadership team: Regional Superintendent of Schools, Jim Widdop, Sandy Seeley of Queens' Parlour, and Steve DePron of Bike 'N Hike.
WHO: "Bikes for Brains" organizers and a past recipient
WHAT: News conference launching this year's campaign
WHERE: Queens' Parlour (171-19th Avenue in Moline)
WHY: Put a smile on over 100 kids' faces this Christmas season
The bikes will be given away to qualified recipients identified by Head Start, the Early Childhood Centers, and Christian Friendliness on Monday, December 14th from noon to 7 PM at the Martin Luther King Center in Rock Island.
Donations can be dropped off or mailed to:
Queen's Parlour
171-19th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265
Bikes for Brains
Here is a brief history of the campaign past eight years of success:
| Year | Number of Bikes & Helmets |
| 2002 | 48 |
| 2003 | 137 |
| 2004 | 120 |
| 2005 | 100 |
| 2006 | 125 |
| 2007 | 138 |
| 2008 | 160 |
| Total | 828 |
