Free bikes going to hundreds of Daytona Beach-area kids
DAYTONA BEACH — The Christmas season is about to get merrier for hundreds of kids who will be receiving free bicycles.
A nonprofit organization that has been giving away bikes for 10 years will hold its annual Christmas giveaway from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 17 at Derbyshire Park.
If organizer Mike Jackson can raise $12,000, he expects he'll be able to donate about 400 bikes to children of all ages at the outdoor Christmas gala. Two years ago, he was able to raise enough money to donate 500 bikes.
The Walmart on Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach is making a large contribution to the giveaway by donating five bikes for every 10 Jackson purchases at the store.
Jackson, who works as director of security at International Motorsports Center in Daytona Beach, also has several volunteers who are helping him raise funds and organize the Dec. 17 bike giveaway.
Jackson's wife is helping him line up kids who will be the chosen recipients. Jackson said he knows a lot of Daytona Beach principals, so he's asking them to choose kids living in financially tough situations.
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Jackson will start signing up kids this week. On the day of the giveaway, he said he'll try to meet every child.
Music, food and motorcycles
The Dec. 17 event will include a DJ, an ice cream truck, a food truck selling hamburgers and hot dogs, and possibly a visit from Santa.
A motorcycle club will also show kids their bikes.
"Since it's my 10th anniversary I want this one to be special," Jackson said. "I want to reach these kids in the community."
Jackson said he started holding the event a decade ago to honor his late mother and keep her memory alive. She died in June 2010.
He's also trying to give back since he's grateful to be alive. He was diagnosed 12 years ago with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and about two years after his diagnosis he was cancer free.
"People say I've inspired them to fight cancer," Jackson said. "My faith in God is extremely strong."
He said some of those cancer survivors have become donors for the bike giveaway. He also has a few local businesses and churches that donate.
Anyone who wants to donate to the bike giveaway or volunteer to help the effort in other ways can call Jackson at 386-451-2933.
You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach man donating 400 bikes to impoverished children
