Chicago – Free Bikes 4 Kidz, a national non-profit, announces launch of Chicago chapter. Free Bikes 4 Kidz helps all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to kids in under resourced neighborhoods. The public donates gently used kids bikes, FB4K organizes thousands of volunteers to clean and refurbish the bikes, and then they are distributed during a Bike Giveaway Event.
“In 2020, Free Bikes 4 Kidz Chicago plans to provide over 2,000 bikes to children in neighborhoods on the west and south side of the city”, according to Tom Renaud, Executive Director. “Our model is built on a proven and scalable 3-pillar approach that has resulted in over 80,000 bicycles distributed in the past 10 years.”
Supporting the Healthy Chicago 2025 initiative, FB4K Chicago is partnering with leading community organizations in several targeted neighborhoods. Bike Beneficiary Partners include Think Outside Da Block, Imagine Englewood IF, Northwest Side Housing Center, Garfield Park Community Council, Communities United, Latinos Progresando, and many more.
FB4K Chicago 2020 kicks off on Saturday, April 4 with a city-wide Bike Collection Day. The public is encouraged to drop off gently used kids bikes at participating Home Depots or Chicago Fire Department locations. See map at www.fb4kchicago.org
“The Office of the Fire Commissioner is thrilled to partner with Free Bikes 4 Kidz and hopes we turn out in force to provide children with the joy of bicycle riding this summer” shared Richard Ford II, Chicago Fire Commissioner, in his memo to stations across the city. Families can drop off bikes within minutes of their homes at designated Fire Stations and multiple Home Depot locations.
All donated bikes will be transported to the FB4K Chicago temporary warehouse – thanks to Perillo Auto Group and Sterling Bay who are providing the dedicated space. Between April 6 – June 12, over 1000 volunteers will clean, repair, and quality check all the bikes. This is a great opportunity and fun experience for corporate teams, community groups, and individuals to contribute time and energy to help FB4K get bikes ready to give to deserving kids in Chicago. There is a role for everyone. Volunteers can sign up at www.fb4kchicago.org
The Free Bikes 4 Kidz Chicago program will culminate with the Bike Giveaway Event on Saturday, June 13th. “We are so pleased to expand Free Bikes 4 Kidz to Chicago” says Terry Esau, Founder and National Executive Director of FB4K. “If you had a bike when you were a kid, you know the impact it made on your life. Help us create that joy for a kid in an under-resourced neighborhood so that they can also have a life-changing experience of adventure and discovery.” For ways to get involved go to www.fb4kchicago.org
ABOUT FREE BIKES 4 KIDZ CHICAGO – Free Bikes 4 Kidz Chicago is a non-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Passionate about the wellbeing of children, FB4K brings communities together to sustainably furnish bikes to kids-in-need, providing a pathway to health, happiness and opportunity. The public provides gently used bikes, we organize thousands of volunteers to clean and refurbish them, and then we give them away. Since 2010, Free Bikes 4 Kidz has given away over 80,000 bikes in 9 cities nationwide. For more information visit: www.fb4kchicago.org