For the past 13 years, members of the Logan Rotary Club have opened their hearts to share the joy of Christmas with many children throughout the community.
Prior to this year, they partnered with Toys to Share to offer new bicycles to children who applied through the program. However, Toys to Share is not distributing toys this year; so the Rotary Club is now partnering with Hocking County Children Services to provide new bicycles for 65 children.
While Rotary members open their hearts to the spirit of the holiday, each year the club graciously asks the community to step up with donations of money to help purchase new bicycles for children who might never have had a chance to have one otherwise. “We historically have been providing at least 65 to 70 bicycles of various sizes each year,” explained Logan Rotarian and committee chair Joe Murtha. “This year we are going to provide 65 new bicycles to Children Services for distribution to the clients they have identified that need bicycles.”
Most of the bicycle sizes needed are for children 12 and older, which is much more costly, Murtha noted. This is why it is necessary to seek donations. Murtha said any amount would be appreciated — $5, $10, $50 — whatever the person feels comfortable with donating.
When the bike giveaway first started, the club accepted donations of used bicycles, but eventually found that the cost of refurbishing the bicycles was often the same, if not more expensive than purchasing a new one. And though it was refurbished, it was still an old bike.
“It became cost prohibitive,” Murtha told The Logan Daily News. “The cost of parts was so high, and sometimes we couldn’t find the right parts — and Walmart has given us such a good buy on bicycles that we can now afford to buy new ones. Besides, no one wants a used bike for Christmas. Every kid wants a shiny, new bike on Christmas morning.”
“We need help as we’ve needed in other years,” Murtha remarked. “We just want to make sure that these kids have a new bicycle on Christmas morning.”
Murtha said the club needs to raise between $4,000 and $5,000 this year in order to provide Children Services with 65 bikes.
“It’s helping the children and that’s what we’re wanting to do; make Christmas special for boys and girls that may not otherwise have a memorable holiday,” he added.
If you would like to donate toward this cause, please contact us or mail a donation to:
Logan Rotary Club
14075 St Rt 374
Rockbridge, OH 43149
Joe Murtha – 740-385-5483
-Source: Logan Daily News