Organization has given over 12,000 bikes to kids in the last six years
DETROIT - Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) Detroit, is once again calling on the public to donate used bicycles on Saturday, September 28 from 9am to 1pm at 25 Meijer stores across Southeast Michigan. Since 2018, FB4K Detroit has given away over 12,385 bikes to local kids in need. Each bike includes a free, properly sized helmet.
“Bike collection day inspires our entire FB4K family every year,” said Bob Barnes, FB4K Detroit, Executive Director. “People in our community really show their true colors when they donate their time and their kid’s beloved (but outgrown!) wheels. Last year we collected over 2,300 bikes and we’re confident we’ll beat that this year with the incredible support of the Meijer team. It’s literally a win-win-win as we help donors clear out their garage, keep the bikes out of the waste stream and get an under resourced child a new set of shiny wheels before the holidays. And everyone has fun on collection day - the bike donors, the volunteers at all the donation locations and the team at our warehouse unloading thousands of bikes. We all understand the effect a bike has on a child’s physical and emotional health and there is a celebratory atmosphere all day long.”
On September 28, from 9 am to 1 pm, the community can donate used bikes at 25 Meijer stores across metro Detroit. Specific drop off locations can be found at
http://www.fb4kdetroit.org/locations.
“We’re proud to support Free Bikes 4 Kidz Detroit’s mission in helping all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need,” said Maureen Mitchell,
Regional Vice President for East Michigan at Meijer. “This partnership reflects our commitment to enriching lives in the communities we serve and empowering children with the joy of cycling, promoting both physical activity and sustainable practices. We encourage everyone to stop by and donate at one of our participating stores across Southeast Michigan and make a difference in a child's life."
Donated bikes will be delivered to a warehouse provided by the Piston Group at 4015 Michigan Avenue in Detroit, where they will be stored, cleaned and refurbished. Volunteers of all skill levels are needed between September 30 and December 5 for cleaning and repair. Just before the Christmas holiday, the bikes will be given to under-resourced kids through pre-registered faith-based and community organizations, and schools,
“Our collaboration with FB4K Detroit is meaningful to our company and our community,” said Piston Group Founder and Chairman Vinnie Johnson. “After all the bikes are donated, we need hundreds of volunteers over the next three months, to help get them ready. It’s a perfect opportunity for organizations or companies looking for a positive, charitable, team-building activity,” said Johnson.
Interested volunteers can go to fb4kdetroit.org to sign up for a three-hour volunteer shift. Groups can schedule a shift by emailing volunteer@fb4kdetroit.org. Volunteers will be matched to their skill levels.
“Piston Group is honored to be able to donate 30,000 square feet of space in our Michigan Avenue facility, in the heart of Corktown, to house this worthwhile effort. We hope companies from across the area will send volunteer teams to get these bikes ready for the December giveaway,” Johnson says.
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About Piston Group
Piston Group, comprising of Piston Automotive, Piston Interiors, Detroit Thermal Systems, and A. Lava, is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. It designs, engineers, assembles and manufactures a wide variety of automotive parts and systems. Piston Group was founded in 1995 by industry magnate and former NBA champion Vinnie Johnson, and is one of the largest private, minority-owned automotive suppliers in North America.
Today, Piston Group employs over 10,000 people at more than 20 locations across North America. Visit www.pistongroup.com for more information.
About Free Bikes 4 Kids, Detroit
Free Bikes 4 Kidz Detroit is the eighth of 20 FB4K affiliates across the U.S. Since we began our mission here in Detroit in 2018, FB4K Detroit has given away 12,385 bikes to kids in need in our community. Visit FB4KDetroit.org for more information.
About Meijer
Meijer is a privately owned, family-operated retailer that serves customers at more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest. As the pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept, more than 70,000 Meijer team members work hard to deliver a friendly, seamless in-store and online shopping experience featuring an assortment of fresh foods, high-quality apparel, household essentials, and health and wellness products and services. Meijer is consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work and annually donates at least 6 percent of its profit to strengthen its communities. Additional information on the company can be found by visiting newsroom.meijer.com.
