Six thousand bicycles, to be exact, said volunteer Dave Hauschild.
“I believe a pretty accurate number to represent the volunteer hours that have been given over the last ten years (would be) 100,000 hours,” Hauschild told the crowd to cheers and applause.
Bikes4Kids takes donated bikes and parts and restores them to then give to those who need them, complete with brand-new helmets and safety equipment. Some have even gone to Africa, where many of the bikes are converted to farming and other equipment that people there desperately need.
Before she presented a $1,000 check on behalf of the Blaine-Ham Lake Rotary, Cathy Montain shared an anecdote with the crowd.
“My husband and I recently were in Italy, and we ran into a man from Africa,” she said. “He knew about Bikes4Kids. So, wherever you go, you hear about good things happening in Minnesota.”
It was the vision of former executive director Al Sannerud, who died earlier this year. He and his wife donated space on their farm for the charity to set up shop years ago. Members of the family received a plaque from members of the organization.
“We have received so much from all of you and we are so grateful,” said Al’s son, Paul. “We are so grateful for all of the work you all have done.”
The group has found a new executive director, who should begin in her new role by the end of the month.
