500 Bikes to Be Given to Needy San Leandro Kids

SAN LEANDRO, CA — If you're looking to add more meaning to your holiday season, this could be the event.

San Leandro Police Officer Louie Brandt, also known as “Santa Louie” is seeking 150 community volunteers to assist him with the distribution of nearly 500 bicycles and helmets to underprivileged children on Saturday, Dec. 17, between 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at San Leandro’s Davis Street Family Resource Center during the annual Bikes for Tykes giveaway.

The program is sponsored by the San Leandro Police Officers’ Association, in conjunction with the Davis Street Family Resource Center, with strong support from the Kiwanis Club of San Leandro and other private donors.

This year, Officer Brandt raised $25,000 through fundraising efforts, grants, and local business donations. The monies will be used to purchase the bicycles at a discounted rate from the Walmart store located on Davis St., who has supported the program for several years.

The San Leandro Kiwanis Club held their own fundraising campaign to assist, and purchased bicycle helmets for each of the recipients of the new bicycles.

San Leandro’s Davis Street Family Resource Center has identified 1,400 children who qualified to be entered into a computerized lottery, which will name the nearly 500 recipients of the new bicycles and helmets.

“I am very fortunate to be supported by the San Leandro Police Officers’ Association, our Police Department, the Kiwanis Club of San Leandro, Walmart, and others in our great community. Everyone’s efforts have made it possible to brighten the holiday season for local kids in need,” said Officer Louie Brandt.

The bicycle giveaway will occur on Saturday, December 17th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Davis Street Family Resource Center, located at 3081 Teagarden St. in San Leandro. The event is open to the public.

Those wishing to volunteer are asked to contact Officer Louie Brandt at (510) 409-2393 or via email at lbrant@sanleandro.org.

Officer Brandt has been coordinating this program with the Davis Street Family Resource Center for the past 8 years. He has now been responsible for raising nearly $200,000 during that time, providing 450-500 bikes and helmets to the selected children each year. Most of his efforts have been done on his own time.

Officer Louie Brandt has received numerous awards for his involvement in the Bikes for Tykes program, including the 2013 Red Cross “Community Service Hero” award, the 2013 California Peace Officers’ Association “Award of Distinction” and others. He was a recipient of the Jefferson Award in January 2016.

--Announcement and photos from San Leandro Police