LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — The holiday season is the time for traditions.
A relatively new one has been taking place in Jerusalem Township in eastern Lucas County when Lucas County Children Services teams up with the Jerusalem Township Fire Department to host a community bike build. Bikes assembled at the event will be added to the other toys collected for distribution as part of the LCCS Holiday Toy Drive.
This year’s bike build took place at the Jerusalem Township Fire Department in Curtice on Sunday morning.
That’s where a group of community members attached wheels and seats to frames, tested brakes and bells, and pumped air in the tires of about 40 bicycles to be given out to kids in the county who might otherwise not have an opportunity to own one.
"We're doing our best to give them as normal a childhood as possible," said Kevin Milliken, with LCCS. "One of the saddest things that happens is foster kids wonder if Santa is going to be able to even find them because they're not at their normal home."
Milliken says everyone who took part in Sunday's event was happy to be there, satisfied in the knowledge they would be making children’s lives a little brighter.
“The magic's happening, putting together the bikes that will be available for the kids when the toy room opens literally tomorrow morning,” said Milliken.
“Elf helpers” of all ages took part in the build including Scouts from Pack 217 in Oregon, members of Northwest Ohio Building and Construction Trades, and firefighters from Jerusalem Township.
“It is so wonderful to know that you're having a contribution of building a bike that a youngster is going to enjoy and have the thrill maybe of the first time riding a bike,” said Jerusalem Township Fire Chief Tony Parasiliti.
In total, LCCS raised more than $5,000 to pay for bikes this.
If you missed the event, but want to donate a bike or other toy for the holiday toy drive, they can be dropped off at 301 Adams Street, WTOL 11, or any of the locations listed here.
WTOL 11 will also be hosting their annual Gift of Joy Downtown Gift Drop from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at WTOL 11, 730 N. Summit Street in downtown Toledo.
"If we can provide 100 bikes for kids during the holiday season, that's fantastic," said Milliken.
This was the seventh year for the bike build.
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