Christmas came early for some kids at the North Street Recreation Center. Thirty-five of them went home with bicycles. The bikes weren’t brand new, but that didn't matter to those receiving them.

Local AmeriCorps volunteers worked with the folks at the recreation center and another organization to make this possible.

"We partnered with R Community Bikes, which are down on Hudson Ave. They recycle bikes and give them back to people in the community,” said Harvey Williams, an AmeriCorps volunteer working at the North Street Recreation Center. “They wanted to do a giveaway for the holidays and we provided them the means to do that. We have a lot of kids here that definitely could use the bikes and put them to good use."

The bicycle winners were chosen in advance and each child was fitted with a properly sized bike. Added safety features were also thrown in.

"The Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety and the Injury Free Coalition for Kids were donating helmets and Honka Hootas, they're horns for children's bikes, because a bell or a horn is part of the law," explained Jean Triest from the Office of Traffic Safety.

The children were grouped by age and each given a number. Those with the highest numbers had first choice at bikes. Even those who had to wait for what was left over didn't seem to mind because this may be their only means to obtain a bicycle.

"On the holidays all the kids want something and basically a lot of kids don't get a lot of things as they should,” said Terron Smith, a Rochester 19-year-old and a bike recipient. “Some people on the holidays are good to give a bike because some people don't have any."

Terron said receiving a bike from a complete stranger shows just how caring the Rochester community is and someday he'd like to return the favor.

"This holiday is more about a giving holiday,” he said. “Most people don't have anything and if I had a chance I would like to give somebody something too."

Those at the North Street Recreation Center say the bike giveaway was such a success they would like to do it again next year.

North St. Recreation Center
R Community Bikes