Local kids get a bike for Christmas at Paulsen's annual giveaway

Aaron Leathley, The Record
·2 min read

It was 5 a.m. on Christmas morning when Liz Castillo laid eyes on her first bicycle.

"I was so excited," Castillo recalled. "The first thing I did was actually ride the bike inside the house."

Now, Castillo wants her son Emmanuel to experience the same excitement about biking and being outdoors that she did as a kid.

So she took him to Bikes for Kids: an annual holiday bike giveaway for families in need. It's organized by Pete Paulsen, owner of Paulsen Motorsports Custom Wheels and Tires in French Camp, who also held the town's iconic Hot Rod Party fundraiser for 31 years.

For four years, Paulsen has collected hundreds of donated bikes and enlisted a crew of volunteers to polish and repair them. Then, in early December, volunteers set out rows upon rows of bikes in Paulsen's garage, and invite kids and their families to come browse for the perfect ride.

Nine-year-old Julio Magana III and his father, Julion Jr., look for bikes at the 4th annual the Bikes For Kids event at Pete Paulsen's ranch in French Camp.
Nine-year-old Julio Magana III and his father, Julion Jr., look for bikes at the 4th annual the Bikes For Kids event at Pete Paulsen's ranch in French Camp.

Paulsen got the idea for the giveaway at a garage sale four years ago. The seller was considering scrapping about 30 used bicycles, but instead, Paulsen refurbished and donated them to Haven of Peace emergency shelter for women in French Camp.

Last year, Paulsen gave away about 150 bikes, and on Saturday, he was hoping to break 200, he said. By 10:40 a.m., there were about 40 cars lined up outside Paulsen's ranch to pick up a bike.

Autumn Scott brought her daughter Lexi after hearing about the giveaway on the radio and on Facebook.

Eight-year-old Ricardo Beltran look at bicycles with his mother Liz Beltran at the 4th annual the Bikes For Kids event at Pete Paulsen's ranch in French Camp.
Eight-year-old Ricardo Beltran look at bicycles with his mother Liz Beltran at the 4th annual the Bikes For Kids event at Pete Paulsen's ranch in French Camp.

"I wanted to get my kids bikes for Christmas, but we couldn't afford it," Scott said. "She has always wanted one with a basket to carry her toys."

Dominique Boyle's daughter Madison also asked for a bike for Christmas. Madison was looking for "a medium bike," she said, and picked a pale pink and white one with white tires. Loyalty Otero chose a pink bike whose handlebars came equipped with a yellow bugle horn.

Paulsen said he needs help to keep the event going each year. "It's amazing that some people who can't really afford it have stepped up," he said.

"It's a gratitude (feeling) with the kids. I guess I'm happy."

To learn more or support Bikes for Kids, contact Paulsen at (209) 983-0271.

Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers business, housing, and land use. She can be reached at aleathley@recordnet.com or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Local kids get a bike for Christmas at Pete Paulsen's annual giveaway