On Saturday, the Boise Bicycle Project will hold its Holiday Bike Drive, a community effort to collect used bicycles for refurbishment into dream bikes for children in need. Volunteers will be on hand at the nonprofit’s headquarters from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and partner Roundhouse will host additional drop‑off sites in Boise, Meridian, Garden City, Eagle and Nampa.
Why the drive matters
For the past 20 years, the organization’s Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway has provided new bicycles to families referred by school counselors and other nonprofits. This year, 550 applications have been received, many from children who have never owned a bike before. “These families are referred to us by trusted community partners who know which kids need the most help during the holiday season,” said Benton Smith, a spokesperson for the Boise Bicycle Project.
What donors can expect
Anyone with an old or unused bike—whether it’s taking up space in a garage or sitting outside an apartment—can drop it off during the drive. “We are looking for bikes of every size, especially those that fit pre‑teens who have hit a growth spurt,” Smith added. The organization hopes to collect several hundred more bicycles to meet the demand.
Impact on the community
Last year’s giveaway set a record with 634 bikes handed out, turning the event into a festive “block party” where families gather to receive their new rides. The volunteers, many of whom are local residents, spend weeks refurbishing each bike, creating a holiday‑season experience reminiscent of Santa’s workshop.
Community members are encouraged to participate, as the success of the giveaway relies on local generosity. By donating a bike, families help provide freedom, confidence, and a healthy activity for children across the Treasure Valley.
How to help
Donors can bring bicycles to the Boise Bicycle Project headquarters or any of the Roundhouse drop‑off locations on Saturday. For more information, visit the Boise Bicycle Project’s website or contact their office directly.
Original reporting: KIVI Idaho News 6 Boise metro (local) — read the source article.
