ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Santa’s helpers are working double time in St. Petersburg collecting bikes during St. Pete Fools Charities' annual donation drive.

What You Need To Know

  • This is the fifth year for the annual bike giveaway

  • The goal is to giveaway 500 bikes this year

  • Giveaway is scheduled for Dec. 4

What started as 13 bikes being given away to kids in need has grown to a goal this year of giving away 500.

Folks are happy to make that goal possible with 300 bikes being donated since the drive began.

The organization works with police to pass out the bikes to kids in need every year and organizers say these bikes serve more than just being a Christmas gift.

“One of our members started this four years ago and then we decide to partner up with him,” St. Pete Fools Charities organizer KC Poulin said. “The police department picks the families and then gives (the bikes) away on a specific date.”

Poulin says from the city and police department's perspective, the bikes help with truancy.

“Kids are using the bikes to get to school," he said. "They’re getting more relationships with them when they meet... and I think it’s just a win-win all the way around.” 

For one grandmother, this bike giveaway is a godsend.

“The more of us who come together in our community, it’ll be less poverty,” said Angel Peas-Pasley. “So this is a blessing. I have other grandkids too. All together I have 15 and all their mothers, my daughters are struggling."

To donate a bike, there is a drop-off during business hours at Gratzzi Italian Grille at 211 2nd Street South in St. Petersburg.

Monetary donations are also accepted online.