News Release
50 New Bicycles Equal 50 Smiling Kids
July 24, 2008
50 New Bicycles Equal 50 Smiling Kids
Kris McDavid
The Daily Gleaner
Published Thursday July 24th, 2008
$10,000 donation helps to buy new bicycles for local children
The smiles on their faces said it all - 50 kids, 50 shiny, new bicycles.
The sidewalk in front of Savage's Bicycle Centre was crowded with anxious children Wednesday as they waited patiently to receive their two-wheeled presents. The bikes were purchased on behalf of the Fredericton Community Foundation and the bicycle shop, using money from an Ontario class-action lawsuit against a rubber manufacturer. The judge in the case ruled that cash from the settlement be distributed among community organizations across Canada.
The Fredericton chapter handed over a portion of its share to Matt Savage, manager of the downtown bike shop, who managed to use $10,000 to provide 50 high-end bicycles and helmets. Savage said he was able to get the bikes at cost thanks to the help of California-based Specialized Bicycle Components.
"It was a fun night and so much fun to see the kids, which is what it's all about at the end of the day," Savage said. "It was a great experience and I hope we can do it again someday."
When eight-year-old Hope Longstaff-Dort got her tiny hands on her new bike, she could hardly contain herself. Smiling from ear to ear, the Connaught Street Elementary School student rode down King Street on her new bicycle. "It's really, really exciting, and I don't know what to think right now," Hope said. She admitted the new bike was going to be a surprise, but she overheard her mom spilling the beans to a friend. "I was like, 'I'm going to get a new bike? When, when, when!' " she said. "I was really surprised."
Jamie Petrie, chairman of the Fredericton Community Foundation, said he never gets sick of attending these types of events. "These are the perfect kind of nights," Petrie said. "When you get to witness first-hand what this money does to enrich people's lives, it's extremely fun to be a part of (it)."
Eleven-year-old Kenzie Price of Devon Middle School was at a loss for words as she examined her new silver mountain bike. "I think she's a little in shock," said her mother Kelly Price. "I think this is wonderful though, and the things that the Fredericton Community Foundation do in general are always great and I'm very happy for my daughter."
The foundation said the remaining $15,000 from the settlement will go to organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Partners for Youth.