Chinatown Youth Receive Bikes for the Holidays
PCDC identified seven needy children to receive an early Christmas present. Mayor Kenney, CH2M Hill, and Neighborhood Bike Works’ collaborated to give away new bikes. This is their 12th annual giveaway, with over 3,000 bikes donated to date. Speakers at the event addressing the youth included Mayor Kenney and Dr. Nina Ahmad, Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement, who praised the event as a “testament to the power of collaboration.”
Staff from CH2M raise the funds for Neighborhood Bike Works to purchase wholesale bike parts. Youth who join the free Winter Bike Build after-school program are paid a stipend to learn how to build the bikes. These bikes are then safety tested and donated to students nominated by community organizations like PCDC. PCDC worked with community hubs like Holy Redeemer Church and School, CAWSSP, and SEAMAAC to find families who would benefit most from this event.
CH2M spokesman encouraged students to think about the engineering that went into their bicycles, while Mayor Kenney announced recent City initiatives to establish bike lanes across Philadelphia, and encouraged everyone to enjoy the spirit of the season.