Cottonwood Cyclery Hosts Second Annual Bikes for Kids Utah Bike Swap

SALT LAKE CITY – May 11, 2009 – Bikes for Kids Utah, a non-profit 501(C)3 organization, together with Cottonwood Cyclery, today announced event details for the second annual Bikes for Kids Utah Bike Swap to be held May 16, 2009, at 2594 East Bengal Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, UT, 84121, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“It’s a rewarding feeling to get kids on bikes,” said Alan Greenberg, owner of Cottonwood Cyclery. “Many children in Utah wouldn’t know the joy of bike riding if it weren’t for the efforts of Bikes for Kids Utah. This is why we decided to host another bike swap for its benefit. We are honored and excited to help further Bikes for Kids’ mission in any way we can.”

Bikes for Kids Utah and Cottonwood Cyclery invites those who would like to sell their gently used bikes or bike accessories to drop off their items between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. the day of the swap. Sellers determine the price for each of their items and pay a $5 participation fee. That fee, in addition to 10 percent of the final selling price of each swap item, will go to Bikes for Kids Utah. For those interested in purchasing a new bike, 15 percent of Cottonwood Cyclery’s profits for the entire day will benefit Bikes for Kids Utah. Last year’s bike swap collected more than 45 gently used bikes and raised several hundred dollars.

“The bike swap last year was a great success for Bikes for Kids Utah and we know it will be just as impactful this year,” said Debbie Reid, founder and director of Bikes for Kids Utah. “The community support the bike swap generates for Bikes for Kids is just as important as the financial support it generates.”

Bikes for Kids Utah will also accept corporate and individual donations during the event. A donation of $50 dollars secures a bike, helmet and t-shirt for one underprivileged child. Donations of any size are appreciated; even one $5 donation will ensure an additional bike helmet for a young rider.

The bike swap is one event in a series of fundraising events held by Bikes for Kids Utah to provide new bicycles for 1,000 pre-qualified, underprivileged 3rd graders from the Boys & Girls Club Boys in Salt Lake, South Valley and Weber Counties. Third grade students from Bennion, Heartland, Lincoln, Majestic, Moss, Plymouth, Riley, Sandy, Riley, McMillan, Liberty, Grant, Guadalupe and Washington elementary schools will also receive bikes.

Along with the 1,000 bicycles, the children will also receive helmets and t-shirts through proceeds accrued from sponsorships and the fundraising bicycle rides taking place on Saturday May 30, 2009 (the same day as the bike giveaway).

To participate in the fundraising rides, please register at www.bikesforkidsutah.org.

Title event sponsors include Costco, Intermountain Financial Group, MassMutual and Alder Construction.

For those interested in donating time as a volunteer or for more information regarding the events, please visit www.bikesforkidsutah.org or call 801-523-3730.

About Bikes for Kids Utah
Formed in 2006, Bikes for Kids Utah, a non-profit organization, provides bicycles for underprivileged children throughout the Salt Lake Valley by means of its event registration proceeds, auctions, and through private and corporate donations. Its annual bicycle fundraising events raise money to provide 1,000 underprivileged children with bicycles each year. For more information regarding the events, please visit www.bikesforkidsutah.org or call 801-523-3730.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chip Smith, SOAR Communications, 801.523.3730(wk) / 801.597.7515(cell), csmith@soarcomm.com,
Maura Lansford, SOAR Communications, 801.523.3730(wk)/817.929.8123(cell), mlansford@soarcomm.com, or
Debbie Reid, Bikes for Kids Utah, 801.232.2681, debreid@comcast.net