Ticket to ride for 60 local children as bike giveaway doubles in size

Sixty local kids have brand new wheels.

Waste Connections of Canada Inc.’s Windsor branch donated 60 new bikes and helmets to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor Essex Saturday.

This is the second year the local branch donated bikes to the organization. Last year, they donated 30.

Steve McArthur, District Manager at Waste Connections of Canada, says he hopes the company can keep doubling its donation every year.

“We want to give back to the community we work in,” said McArthur. “We raise money through our vendors and employees.” This year, the company raised approximately $8,400 to buy bicycles.

McArthur said the company holds a big staff event to build the bikes, which come to the office in boxes. He said seeing the smiles on kids’ faces when they ride, sometimes for the first time, make all the effort worthwhile. By consulting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor Essex, the company purchased bikes exactly the right size for each child in need. Several staff members present at the event helped kids adjust seats and helmets.

Becky Parent, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor Essex, said this donation is about much more than just a bike ride.

“It means a sense of self-control, a sense of empowerment, a sense of adventure, and maybe building self-confidence,” said Parent. “It makes a tremendous impact on the kids that we’re serving, for sure.” Last year, the local Big Brothers Big Sisters served 803 kids. The families the organization serves decided which 60 kids needed new bikes this year.

“We just put it out there to our families, and we asked if they needed a bike,” said Parent. “We were certainly able to find some of the kids that we serve that needed one fairly easily.

“We are tremendously grateful to Waste Connections of Canada. It makes a tremendous impact on the kids that we’re serving for sure”

Children of all ages pedalled over the grass next to the organization’s parking lot while parents and guardians watched. Six-year-old Presleigh, who’s last name Big Brothers Big Sisters asked not be released, was eager to get her new pink bike home to show her grandmother.

“It’s my favourite colour,” said Presleigh.

She bounced with excitement as she said she wants to ride it to the park. Her mother, Carolyn, helped her put on her helmet.

PHOTOS: TAYLOR CAMPBEL Carolyn helps her daughter Presleigh with the kickstand on her new bike at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor Essex on Saturday. Presleigh is one of 60 kids to get a bike from a donation made by Waste Connections of Canada Inc. this year.

Six-year-old Presleigh gets a hand putting on her helmet from her mom. “It’s my favourite colour,” Presleigh said of her new bicycle.