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05/25/2022 09:27 AMOn Saturday, June 4 Families Helping Families (FHF) and the Clinton Police Department will hold a free bike safety and give-away event perfect for kids in need of a new bike or one with a little tuning. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clinton Police Department.
With warm weather finally here and the end of the school year in sight, kids will be chomping at the bit to get outside and play. Thanks to efforts from FHF and the Clinton Police Department, families now have a safe and free way to make sure their kids have a chance to experience the joys and freedom of biking.
The event, which is open to kids and adults, is perfect in particular for kids in search of a new bike, kids who have outgrown a previous bike and need a new one, and anyone who has a bike safety issue. The day will include a bike rodeo that will teach kids ways to improve their bike handling skills.
“We will have bikes available for the very youngest of riders to adults. If we don’t have a bike on hand to fit someone, we will take their information and will contact them once we receive one—helmets will be given away free to all who attend,” said FHF President Miner Vincent.
“Bikes that someone has outgrown can also be dropped off during this bike. If we can, they will be fixed and checked for safety and hopefully given away to another member of the community,” Vincent added.
The giveaway is being facilitated courtesy of Paul Egan, known locally as “the Bike Guy.” Egan has become well known in the Clinton community over the last six years for fixing and donating bikes free of charge.
To date, Egan has donated more than 1,300 bikes free of charge, according to Vincent.
“This is the fourth year we have partnered with the Clinton Police Department. Having one large event on one day is the best way to reach the community,” said Vincent, who also noted that free bikes are also available on weekends in front of Egan’s house at 56 Ironworks Road.
The giveaway is part of the Clinton Kids Initiate program of FHF.
Vincent explained that the program “focuses on helping Clinton children have a better growing up experience in our town. We have various community efforts within the program. We provide summer scholarships for children who otherwise would not be able to have experiences like summer art camp with Cindy Stevens, musical summer camp with Laura Attanasio, and The Clinton Sailing Club.”
Vincent said that the program also provides food to some school children who need it as well as back-to-school help. “When back to school rolls around, we pay for new clothes and new shoes as well as providing new backpacks for children. At Christmas time, we give out through Clinton Social Services hundreds of gift cards for tweens [who]are often overlooked during the holidays. We just recently hosted a Go Fly a Kite Day with Clinton Park & Recreation at the town beach,” said Vincent.
The bike giveaway will be held rain or shine at the Clinton Police Department, 170 East Main Street. Besides bikes, the Clinton Police Department will also be making sure car seats are safe and working. For more information, call FHF at 860-669-5992.