Butte Sheriff's
Office gives away bicycles
BY MARY WESTON - Staff Writer
Posted: 12/22/2009
12:12:12 AM PST
OROVILLE -- Many children got their
first bicycles Monday at the 10th annual Butte County Sheriff's Office Christmas Bike Giveaway.
Children
went into the bike room at the Sheriff's Office at 1 p.m. where they could pick out a new or reconditioned bike under the
supervision of Sheriff Perry Reniff and the STARS — the Sheriff's Team of Active Retired Seniors.
A
few children looked at every bicycle discriminately until they found just the right one. However, most went immediately to
the bicycle they wanted.
"Without this program that's supported by so many businesses
and individuals, a lot of kids wouldn't get bikes for Christmas," Reniff said. "That's what it's all about is these
kids. See how innocent and excited they are."
Sheriff's crime prevention officer
Miranda Bowersox said the children are also given helmets and treated to cookies, hot chocolate and a gift bag.
The Salvation Army provided the names to the Sheriff's Office of children who needed bicycles,
she said.
Oroville Wal-Mart donated 35 bicycles and a $500 gift certificate to the
program this year.
"With the economy the way it is, it's amazing they could do
that," Bowersox said.
More than 20 businesses, service clubs and individuals
donated money for bicycles.
Ann Dickman of Butte County Public Health said the children
were also fitted with helmets. The helmet fitting is part of the Safe Kids of Butte County programs, Dickman said.
"We also teach the parents how to fit the helmets, so they know how to adjust the helmets
later," she said.
The Lake Oroville Bicyclists Organization helped repair and
recondition the bicycles. Lyle Wright of Lobo adjusted the seat levels Monday in the bicycle room.
Capt.
Dorothy Russell of Gridley and Capt. Roy Johnston of Oroville were among the several STARS helping with the event.
By 2 p.m., Johnston said 37 children had picked out bicycles and they still had another 30 in
the room.
"The bikes that are left over will go into storage for next year,"
Johnston said.
