Bicycle Rescue for Youth

Mission

To provide refurbished used bicycles to low-income children for a happier, healthier life.

Description

We receive donated bikes through various sources such as the Maple Valley Police, King County sheriff, King County Surplus Warehouse, Church bike drives and individual donations. We determine whether the bikes should be refurbished or recycled. If bikes are determined to be usable we refurbish them using new and used parts, then donate them to under privileged kids in the area. To keep our expenses down we cap refurbishing costs to $50.00 per bike. Any bikes that are not serviceable are stripped down and any salvageable parts are retained for use on other bikes. We recycle the metal at a local recycle center and the tires are taken to a local tire store. Any money obtained through recycling is invested in the refurbished bikes. We have several volunteers who work on the bikes, and help out around the shop. We donate the bikes through local food banks, community events and directly to schools, New for this year is a youth bike maintenance and/or repair class. The maintenance class will help the kids keep their bike fun to ride and be safer.

Recognition

We received a $500.00 grant from the Covington MultiCare Hospital Foundation to be used for bike locks. We also receive a deep discount on bike locks with Johnson's Hardware in Maple Valley WA. We now have an account at a bike parts wholesaler so our costs have come down substantially. Les Schwab tire recycles our tires and inner tubes. We use local businesses to conduct helmet drives. Our next one will be in February and will be sponsored by Chick Fil A in Covington. We donate our bikes through the Covington Storehouse, one of the local food banks. We are there the second Saturday of the month. We have receive annual monetary donations from the Covington Rotary Club for the last two years. We also received a grant from the local chapter of 100 Women Who Care. This grant made up approximately half of our budget for 2019.