Boys & Girls Club News Release
The Boys and Girls Club of Beaufort County initiated its first charitable “Bikes for Tykes” for the holiday season. Bicycles and donations toward the purchase of bikes were solicited to provide bikes for children ranging in age from 3 to 6 who are in Beaufort County Foster Care.
“Donations were coming really slowly at first,” said CPO Alice Sadler. “But through the generosity and determination of board members and a discount from Wal-Mart, we were able to exceed our goal of 20 bikes.”
Club members Jordan and Jaden Hambnc, staff member James Perry and Joey Peele, a field representative from Senator Kay Hagan’s office, delivered the bikes to DSS on Wednesday just in time to fill the Christmas wishes of every child on the list provided by Laurel Miller, head of Foster Care Services with the Beaufort County Department of Social Services.
“We do all we can to teach club members the value of giving. There is no better time than Christmas to truly drive that point home,” Sadler said.
Although none of the bikes went to club members, those involved in the delivery had the opportunity to test drive a few.
“This is much more than we expected,” said Miller. “The social workers were very excited to when the bikes arrived, but not nearly as excited as our children will be on Christmas day.”
The club plans to do a broad quarterly outreach to show that members are making a difference in the community.
Peele will join the club as a volunteer in 2012. His main focus is assisting with community service projects. Delivery of Bikes for Tykes donations was his opportunity to see the club’s outreach in action.
“It was thrilling. I can’t wait to get behind the club and help the staff and members in any way I can,” Peele said.