A Guilford man’s childhood act of holiday kindness has grown into one of the largest and most beloved charity events on the shoreline. John DellaVentura grew up in Guilford, where his parents and neighbors sparked a tradition by providing bikes to kids in town with a need and he and his family now carry on that act of kindness through the annual Wishing Wheels Bike Drive, which holds its next build event on Saturday, Dec. 18.

According to DellaVentura, every holiday season his family and several of his neighbors had gotten together fixed and built bikes to give out on Christmas eve to local kids who really needed not just a bike, but a tangible act of generosity in their lives.

“I grew up in Guilford and dating back to the early ‘90s, my family and three other Guilford families used to deliver bikes to kids on Christmas eve. It was limited, maybe five or six bikes for the entire evening, but it was what made the holiday so special for me and my family,” DellaVentura said. “This idea of getting together with other families and buying bikes for kids you don’t even know was very special to me and my family. It was important to be able to understand that they might be going through difficult times, and that you could make their holiday special.”

DellaVentura said that this effort instilled in him at an early age what it means to be part of a community and to learn the importance of compassion and empathy.

“The best part of it was that we would all get together on Christmas eve, sit by the fire, and build these bikes,” DellaVentura recalled. “It was just an opportunity to spend time with people and do something that was so impactful, especially for me as a kid.

“We would drop off these bikes, sing Christmas carols to the parents and you could see the look of relief to be able to provide something for their children and to make the holiday that much more special for them and that stuck with me,” DellaVentura continued. “When Sarah and I had two daughters who started to come of age…we decided on Wishing Wheels and involving the community.”

In 2017 that sentiment revived the family tradition as his children came of age. DellaVentura, his wife Sarah Bishop DellaVentura, and their two children Grace and Abigail DellaVentura, wanted to make a difference and to instill the same sense of community for their family.

The Wishing Wheels Bike Drive was born and this year has the goal of providing 300 bikes and helmets to youth across the area.

Since its inception, the event has provided more than 500 new bikes and helmets, according to Sarah DellaVentura and this year they are doubling their commitment from 150 to 300 bikes. She said the yearly effort has special meaning for her and her daughters.

“We truly believe a bicycle is much more than a toy for a child. For so many of these children, a bicycle means freedom—freedom to get outside, make their own fun, escape their world, and just be a kid. It teaches children to get back up and try again after they’ve fallen. A bicycle allows children to socialize with their friends and leads to acceptance amongst their peers,” DellaVentura said. “This year it adds an additional dimension; kids are yearning to do something that is fun, yet safe from the fear of the pandemic that they are living in. A bike can do just that and it also leads to positive healthy decisions.”

According to John DellaVentura, the organization prefers monetary donations rather than donations of actual bikes. He said that there are several reasons why a brand-new bike to call their own is an integral component to the success of the drive.

“We don’t take donations of actual bikes for a number of reasons,” DellaVentura said. “The logistics involved in trying to store and collect 300 bikes becomes a lofty quest. But the idea behind Wishing Wheels is that these are original bikes that children will own. It will be theirs and for some of these kids it will be the first new large toy they may have ever received, and the idea here is that we are giving this to a child, brand-new for them, and we know that it is a safe bike that will be just for them.”

According to John and Sarah DellaVentura, Zane’s Cycles of Branford will have technicians on site to provide assistance and quality checks to ensure every bike is safe and road worthy at the Dec. 18 build event. A number of local businesses including Bishop’s Orchards, Zane’s Cycles, and Athletic Brewing are among those that provide space, time, logistical support and funds to make Wishing Wheels’ goal a reality.

“We are off to a great start, largely in part due to the help and commitment from Bishop’s Orchards and Athletic Brewing Company. John and I are very fortunate and grateful to work for companies that are committed to giving back to the community and organizations that are in need. But with that being said, it is the smaller donations from individuals that have the biggest impact on this fundraiser and make it a success. There is no donation too big or too small and 100% of the funds raised go directly to the purchase of these bikes,” Sarah DellaVentura said.

According to John DellaVentura, the organization is extremely grateful for every dollar of a donation, but urged those who can, to come out to the bike build and put in some time with neighbors and friends.

“What we are trying to do with Wishing Wheels is that we want to impact children as early as possible in life to help guide their philanthropic quest in life,” DellaVentura said. “The idea is that the biggest impact someone can do is make a monetary donation to Wheels. But it is also important to show up on Dec. 18 with a child to build a bike with them so hopefully it will have the same impact with them as it had with me as a child. And teaching that joy of giving back to somebody at an early age.”

Grace and Abigail DellaVentura both said that this event is important to them personally, but far more important for the area’s kids during a season that isn’t always joyous for some.

“I think it’s important because it brings a smile to child’s face on Christmas,” Abigail DellaVentura said. “It’s important for me to do that.”

Grace DellaVentura also echoed her sister’s sentiments on how important community service is for her and her family.

“I myself enjoy riding my bike, and this is something that will bring joy to a kid all year round,” she said. “Being part of bringing that smile is important.”

To make a monetary donation, use the Facebook Roots4Releif fundraiser link. The bike-building event at Bishop’s Orchard’s Little Red Barn starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18; help is needed to put together the 300 bikes collected for this drive.