UPDATE: Due to rain the the bike drop off has been postponed until Dec. 8. If you would like to drop off a bike for the Holiday Bike Drive before then, you can take it to Quality Bike Shop during business hours our bring it to the Bike Walk Savannah office (1301 Lincoln St.) on Thursdays from 7-9:30 p.m., Sundays from 2-4:30 p.m. or by appointment by contacting Henry Rocha.
MEDIA RELEASE
Savannah, Ga. (Nov. 27, 2018) – The Wilmington Island Farmers’ Market will partner with the Savannah Bicycle Campaign to collect gently used bicycles for the 2018 Holiday Bike Drive. Bicycle donations will be accepted on Saturday, December 1 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the entrance to the market, which takes place at 170 Whitemarsh Island Road on the grounds of Islands High School.
Bicycles can also be dropped off at Quality Bike Shop, located at 1127 East Montgomery Crossroads, during business hours and the Savannah Bicycle Campaign headquarters, located at 1301 Lincoln Street, on Thursdays from 7- 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 2 – 4:30 p.m.
“We have a limited amount of time to refurbish bikes, so badly damaged bikes cannot be accepted,” Executive Director of Savannah Bicycle Campaign John Bennett explains. “We can handle a little bit of dust but not lots of rust.”
In keeping with the mission of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign’s New Standard Cycles program, each of the donated bicycles will be thoroughly restored by volunteers before they are presented to deserving children on December 16 as both a Christmas gift and healthy mode of transportation.
The recipients will be hand-selected by Blessings in a Book Bag, Inc. — a nonprofit that provides impoverished school children with weekend meals and supplemental academic resources. Children will also receive a complimentary bike helmet from the Heads in Helmets campaign of the Justice for Children Foundation — a nonprofit foundation founded by Savannah attorney Howard Spiva.
Last year, the Wilmington Island Farmers’ Market collected nearly 40 children’s bicycles for the Holiday Bike Drive and hopes to surpass that amount this year with donations from Wilmington and Whitemarsh Island residents.
“Through partnerships with other local nonprofit organizations, the market can truly bring our community together through giving, so we hope to see dozens of bicycles coming into the market on Saturday,” Wilmington Island Farmers’ Market Founder and Event Coordinator Debby McIncrow says.
The Wilmington Island Farmers’ Market will showcase a wide variety of regional food and artisan vendors and offer family-friendly activities and live entertainment from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Big Bon Pizza will serve their delicious wood-fired pizzas from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Children can enjoy free pony rides and spend time with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves. Steel the Show’s Melvin Dean will perform and the Gretchen Greene School of Dance company dancers will thoroughly entertain guests as they bring to life classic holiday songs. The market is free and open to the public.
For questions about the 2018 Holiday Bike Drive, please email bikes@bicyclecampaign.org. Photos of bicycles being considered for donation can be evaluated via email, and owners will be notified if their bicycles can be refurbished and given to a deserving child this Christmas.
To see a detailed event schedule, please visit wifarmersmarket.org.
NOTE TO MEDIA:
Media may contact Lauren Ashley at 912.663.3790 or laureneashley16@gmail.com for additional event information and post-event photo/video requests. Executive Director of Savannah Bicycle Campaign John Bennett will be available for interviews at the market throughout the day’s donation drive.
ABOUT THE WILMINGTON ISLAND FARMERS’ MARKET:
The Wilmington Island Farmers’ Market (WIFM) is a nonprofit organization that provides Wilmington Island and adjacent islands’ residents with locally grown produce, baked goods, natural skincare solutions and a variety of artisan creations. Since its establishment in 2012, the WIFM has grown and impacted the community through partnerships with local businesses and other nonprofit organizations. WIFM is a beloved seasonal favorite for the wholesome fun it offers against the backdrop of the beautiful Whitemarsh and Wilmington Islands. For more information, visit wifarmersmarket.org.