Bikes at Goodwill fixed for children
By Timothy Cox | Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

As the owner of a bicycle shop, Andy Jordan knows a thing or two about making children happy for Christmas.

        Michael Holahan/Staff

Christopher Miller fixes up bicycles that will be given away to needy children at the Goodwill Industries facility on Wylds Road in Augusta.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Mr. Jordan has joined with Master Pontiac Buick GMC and Goodwill Industries to provide refurbished bikes to the area's less fortunate children.

Under a program called SantaWheels, the three companies will provide deserving children with reconditioned bicycles, a safety helmet and safety training on Thursday at an event called SantaWheels Bicycle Rodeo at the Goodwill behind Augusta Mall on Wylds Road.

"Most everybody remembers their first bike -- it's the first time you experience true freedom," said Mr. Jordan, longtime owner of Andy Jordan's Bicycle Warehouse on 13th Street.

Russell Reams, a marketing specialist at the auto dealership on Washington Road, said the idea for giving away used bikes to children originated in 1996, when general manager George Sliester saw a bike inside a trash bin and realized it could be refurbished.

Now older bikes are donated to SantaWheels, and volunteers help make them like new again.

People who donate bikes will receive tax deductions from Goodwill and $250 discounts off new or used vehicle prices from Master Pontiac or 10 percent off bicycle accessories purchased from Mr. Jordan's shop, Mr. Reams said.

Specifically, SantaWheels prefers to accept 12-, 16-, 18- or 20-inch, single-speed bicycles, he said.

Margaret Vasquez, the executive director of Goodwill's Augusta and Macon districts, said SantaWheels is a worthy and helpful program that benefits children and Goodwill workers alike.

"SantaWheels is a wonderful program. You have deserving children getting bikes and our homeless trainees get needed job skills.

"Hopefully, they'll get jobs from their training and experience. Learning to repair bicycles helps our workers learn production skills, which are often transferable to mainstream job situations," Ms. Vasquez said.

David Cantrell, also of Goodwill, said the workers are typically military veterans preparing to re-enter the work force.

"It's a worthy project for everyone," said Mr. Cantrell, who hires workers for the program.

Mr. Jordan's company provides a variety of bicycle parts at no cost for the program, including handlebar grips, pedals, tires, inner-tubes and seats.

A year ago, 156 bikes were distributed to needy children, Mr. Reams said.

Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or tim.cox@augustachronicle.com.

BICYCLE RODEO

WHEN: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Goodwill Industries, 2807 Wylds Road (behind Augusta Mall).

TO GET A BIKE: Children must complete application forms to be eligible to receive bikes.

TO GIVE A BIKE: Older bicycles are still being accepted. Donated bikes may be taken to Master Pontiac Buick GMC, 3710 Washington Road, or Andy Jordan's Bicycle Warehouse, 527 13th St. For more information, call Russell Reams at (706) 855-9400 or visit www.santawheels.com.