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08/06/2015 12:01 AMBikes for Kids is an organization located in Old Saybrook that works to provide bicycles to children with an identified need who would not otherwise have access to a bike. The organization was started by Chuck Graeb in 1989. Graeb, a schoolteacher in Lyme and Old Lyme, felt that every child should be able to experience the enjoyment and freedom that comes with owning their own bicycle.
After Graeb’s death in 2009, Dave Fowler continued his work and to date, Bikes for Kids has collected more than 17,500 bicycles. The most recent bicycle collection, coordinated by Westbrook resident Russ Gingras, realized more than 300 bicycles.
This charity works to enrich the lives of young people in Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Lyme, Essex, Deep River, Westbrook, and Clinton. The bicycles are distributed through local and state social services departments.