Sometimes IT IS about the bike... and more

It's the most holiday thing I can imagine doing - giving little kids a new bike, for most of them their first ever. Over the past few years I have been volunteering each December with the 2009 Holiday Bike Drive. Along side friends Jenn, John and Alex, and a couple hundred other volunteers (like fellow mechanic James above) this past Sunday was again an awesome event. Much thanks goes to Brian Benson, CCC's Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator and his crew - they once again pulled off a herculean effort - the true domestiques of the Holiday Bike Drive!

This is an excerpt from Brian's thank you email, along with links to some wonderful images by photographer Chad Berkley - be sure to check our the time-lapse sequence (link below) - great stuff!

"The 2009 Holiday Bike Drive was a huge success:

• 248 volunteers came together and gave 1,110 hours over the course of two days. You moved bikes, fitted helmets, taught safety lessons, adjusted seats and wrangled the million behind-the-scenes details that made the event so amazing.
  
• 415 children received their first bicycles. Due to icy roads and miscommunication within one of our partner agencies, some registered families were unable to arrive, but we have plans to get every bike we built out in the community soon!
  
• Over 40 interpreters provided exceptional support to hundreds of Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian and Somali-speaking families.

The numbers, of course, can only say so much. The Holiday Bike Drive is all about making connections and building community, and everyone always seems to walk away with a few seriously heartwarming stories. We'd love to hear yours! Feel to email me to share some memorable moments from the event.

Speaking of memorable moments, make sure to check out this amazing Holiday Bike Drive Photo Gallery from volunteer photographer Chad Berkley. Chad has been taking photos at the event for years, and has a great eye for what makes it so special. I highly recommend checking out the two time-lapse masterpieces he put together."

The Community Cycling Center is a nonprofit effort and each year needs a bit of extra help to make the next year successful. If you would like to help make projects like the annual Holiday Bike Drive through the Give!Guide. CCC is only $2,000 short of meeting our fund-raising goal for the year!