Think Christmas in July

Countertop red kettles are at area businesses to collect donations for the Salvation Army’s “Buck$ 4 Bikes” program, which provides bicycles for Children at Christmas.

The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Women’s Auxiliary is kicking off its 13th annual “Buck$ 4 Bikes” fundraiser in July for Cleveland and Oklahoma counties in anticipation of Christmas.

More than 100 countertop red kettles will be distributed to area businesses to collect donations for the bicycle program.

“Buck$ 4 Bikes” was founded in 2006 to help families in need at Christmas.

“In 2017, 1,350 children wished for a bike, and 1,350 received one thanks to the generosity of Central Oklahomans,” Maj. Susan Ellis, who is Salvation Army Central Oklahoma area commander, along with husband Stephen, said in a news release.

“It is so heartwarming to see how individuals come together to make a child’s wish come true, from those who make a donation to the program and to those who come together each year to assemble the bikes at Christmas.”

The 2018 Buck$ 4 Bikes program goal is to raise $50,000 to purchase bikes the coming holiday season for needy boys and girls.

“This year, we have raised over $10,000 to purchase bicycles. We still have a way to go in achieving this year’s goal,” Ellis said.

The deadline for this year’s campaign is Aug. 31. Every penny donated to this cause will go to the purchase of a new Huffy bicycle with prices ranging from $34 to $57.

“This year should mark the 10,000th bike to be handed out,” said D’Anna Pulliam, Buck$ 4 Bikes committee chair.

“I am extremely pleased that FedEx has confirmed free delivery once again this year of bicycles, and our friends at Oklahoma Bicycle Society will be providing a new helmet for each bike purchased.”

Donations may be made by visiting one of the following area businesses before Aug. 6: ADG Architecture; Advance Chiropractic; Advantage Banks; Alray’s Cleaners; Al’s Bicycle; 7930 N MacArthur; All Arvest Bank locations; BancFirst locations in Del City, Interstate-240, Hiawassee & NE 23 in Harrah; Bandana Reds Diner; Beauty Mark Salon; Celestial Cycles; Coffee Slingers; Cuppies & Joe; Del Rancho in Midwest City and FellersSnider Law Office.

Also: First Bethany Bank locations; All First National Bank of Midwest City locations; Foxx Pools; Game HQ; Greenway Plaza Tag Agency; H&H Gun Range & Cafe; Heritage Lanes Bowling Center; Homeland, located on NW 122nd; Jasco; Java 39 J’s Hallmark Stores; Liberty Mutual; and Maccini Construction.

Others include: Midwest City YMCA; Napoleon Deli; Okay Yeah Coffee Shop; Old Dominion Freight Lines; Pace Butler Corporation; Paris Plaza 66 Convenience Store; Platinum Beauty Salon; Pro Bikes; Quail Creek Bank; RCB Bank, downtown Oklahoma City and N Western locations only; and Schlegel Bikes.

Also: Swiss Cleaners; TBS; The Blue Bean; The Buzz Coffee Shop; The Enchanted Cottage; Tilted Tulip Clothing Boutique; Tinker Tag Agency; Totally Tickets; Veritiv; Wheeler Dealer Bicycle; and Wilshire Gun Range & Cafe.

Donations also may be made by mailing a check to: The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Attention: Major Susan Ellis, 1001 N Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73107, Memo: Buck$ 4 Bikes.

[PHOTO BY CARLA HINTON, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES] Steve Smith, of Oklahoma City, a member of the Oklahoma Bicycle Society, assembles a girl’s bicycle that he placed on a bicycle stand during the Salvation Army’s 2017 “Buck$ 4 Bikes” bicycle assembly event in Oklahoma City.

[PHOTO BY CARLA HINTON, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES] Kevin Mustin, of Oklahoma City, a line haul driver with FedEx, assembles a girls bicycle with fellow volunteer Steve Smathers, of Oklahoma City, during The Salvation Army’s 2017 “Buck$ 4 Bikes” bicycle assembly event in Oklahoma City.