Oakland County 'Re-CYCLE For Kids' Drop-Off Set For June 20

BIRMINGHAM, MI — A group of local organizations are coming together to provide used and new bicycles to Oakland County residents in need.

Dan Gutfreund Realty Group, a member of Signature Sotheby's, is teaming up with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Re-CYCLE for Kids program, along with 1-800-Self-Storage.com, Birmingham Police Department, and the Sheriff PAL Program (Police Athletic League) Oakland County, to collect new and used bicycles and helmets for Oakland County children and adults in need.

“Not only is bike riding a fun activity for friends and families, but studies also show that a 30-minute bike ride actually improves memory, relieves stress and can have positive effects on cardiovascular disease and diabetes,” Gutfreund said. “More than ever, the need is now; as people are packing up their homes to move or cleaning out their garages, we ask them to be on the lookout for bikes that can be donated to the Sheriff’s Re-CYCLE program.”

New or used bikes of all sizes and bike accessories can be dropped off contact-free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20 at the 1-800-Self-Storage.com moving truck parked at the junction of Woodward Avenue and South Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham.

Volunteers will be on hand to remove bikes from vehicles, following all CDC social distancing guidelines, wearing gloves and masks, the groups said in a news release Thursday. Those dropping off a bike are asked to stay in their car, or if they do prefer to unload their bike, to practice social distancing and wear a mask.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office began the Sheriff’s Re-CYCLE for Kids program in 2006 to provide refurbished bicycles to local children. Since the program’s inception, thousands of bikes have been collected, recycled, and given to people in need, the sheriff's office said. Sheriff’s office personnel supervise inmate labor in community service to refurbish and repair the bicycles, and then make them available at no cost through a variety of non-profit organizations that distribute them to their clients in need.

“While many programs and activities are canceled for the summer, it’s still safe, and important for our physical and mental health, for kids and families to get outside and be active,” Bouchard said. “I ask all citizens that may have unused bikes at their home to donate them to the Re-CYCLE for Kids program and help those in need.”

Those who do not have a bike to donate, but wish to make a donation to help purchase bikes and equipment can do so online. The Sheriff PAL Program team will be helping to distribute the bikes and helmets once the collected bikes are refurbished and repaired.