By Jameel Naqvi Daily Herald Staff Writer Posted Sunday, April 08, 2007
The 50 kids who stopped by Grace Community Ministries in Carpentersville Saturday didnt go home on foot.
Thanks to the generosity of a Carpentersville couple, the kids got to ride away on a new well, slightly used set of wheels.
A week earlier, Ron and Sabrina Thomas bought more than 50 bicycles at an Elgin police auction for about $200.
Saturday, the Thomas gave the bikes to local children and their parents at no charge.
Some of the families have multiple kids, and its hard to buy bikes for all the kids, Ron Thomas said.
News of the free bikes spread fast. Although the giveaway started at 9 a.m., some kids were lined up as early as 8. All but two of the bikes had been claimed in the first hour.
As was the case the previous two times the Thomas have done a bike giveaway, demand outstripped supply.
But Ron Thomas said he took down the names of children who didnt get a bike and plans to hold another giveaway after buying more in an upcoming Carpentersville police auction.
He added fewer kids came to the church because of the holiday weekend and he hopes to have a greater turnout at his next event.
The Thomas started the event in the late 1990s to get more kids playing outside, where they could get exercise and socialize with other children.
Bicycles are something that keeps kids out of the house playing video games, Ron Thomas said.
The first year of the giveaway, there were 100 bikes, and they still werent enough for every child. After that first year, the Thomas knew what to expect.
Ron Thomas was at the church at 5 a.m. Saturday, fixing up the bikes for their new owners. Most of them just needed air in their tires.
A Carpentersville police officer was on hand Saturday to register the bikes in case they get lost. Its good for the kids to see the police in a different light, Ron Thomas said.
