Volunteers Collect More Than 100 Bikes For St. Petersburg Kids This Christmas

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Volunteers brought Christmas early to more than 100 children across St. Petersburg Tuesday who might not have had a visit from Santa Claus because of unfortunate family circumstances.

Alex DeJesus, a St. Petersburg resident and member of St. Pete Fools Charities, arrived at the St. Petersburg Police Department headquarters in a U-Haul that carried 117 bicycles for officers to give to kids in need. Members of St. Pete Fools showed up on their motorcycles, also, and assisted unloading the bikes they helped acquire.

More than 20 deputies, along with Chief Anthony Holloway, gave a hand by bringing the bikes into the garage, where patrol units will distribute them to kids.

"This really shows the community involvement here," Holloway told reporters. "We had an officer a couple of years ago ... taking his own money and buying a bike for someone."

The officer purchased a bike for a high school girl who promised to stay in school. He had given her his bike so she could attend classes.

"And Alex said, 'Hey, I wanna buy a bike for you,' and the next thing you know Alex got us 50 bikes," Holloway said.

Holloway said this helps the officers connect with the kids in their patrol areas whose families can't afford a bicycle. The first thing police do is go to the St. Pete Victim Advocates program and see which children have been affected the most during the year, and give them bikes.

Officer Doug Dilla told Patch that giving bicycles to kids last year felt heart-warming.

"Any time around a call...if I come in contact with a child in need or a parent that's down on their luck — just looking to give back to the community because they've been here for us," Dilla said. "...It's a huge connection. Definitely building bridges between the broken-down areas and areas we want to build up higher."

All bikes come equipped with lights, locks and helmets, Yolanda Fernandez, St. Pete police spokesperson, told Patch.

Tony Mangiaficao, president of St. Pete Fools, told Patch the group heard about the bike-drive from DeJesus and they collected the bikes in two days. The word spread throughout the world, and a person from South Africa also contributed to the bike giveaway.

DeJesus said next year's goal is 200 bicycles, and he appreciates all the support from the community, volunteers and the police department.