Drop Off a Bike for Kids in Need at St. Michael's Allina Clinic

Remember your first bike?  Allina Hospitals and Clinics and Free Bikes 4 Kidz are teaming up to collect donated bikes for kids in need across the state. The program distributed 1,200 hundred bikes last year. 

This year’s goal is to collect, repair and give bikes to 5,000 young people. Volunteers at all Allina sites will collect donations. Volunteers will also restore the donated bikes, which will be distributed to kids on Dec. 10, 2011.

“I remember my first bike: a gold Sears stingray with a banana seat and a sissy bar. To me, that bike represented independence, mobility and access to a new world beyond my front yard.  Every kid deserves this experience and the chance to lead a healthy life,” said Kenneth H. Paulus, president and CEO of Allina Hospitals and Clinics.

Allina is recruiting physicians and staff to help collect bikes at more than 50 Allina hospitals and clinics (including Aspen Medical Group and Quello Clinics) this Saturday. Allina will also provide free helmets and concussion information to all who receive bikes.

Now in its third year, Free Bikes 4 Kidz is a local, non-profit organization that helps children in need get free bicycles through donations.

If you go:

What:  Drop-off donated bicycles

When:  10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22

Where:  Allina Medical Clinic, St. Michael