Rick Case Bikes for Kids Kicks off 22nd Season with Goal of 10,000 Bikes

CLEVELAND--Oct. 2, 20037, 2003--While many kids will spend the holiday season enjoying gifts they receive, there will be many without any gifts. Imagine the joy that bikes of yours could bring to these children. That's the idea behind Rick Case Bikes for Kids.

"Year after year, I see how much good this program does. Rick Case Bikes for Kids makes it easy for individuals and businesses to get involved and help needy kids during the holidays. Through this program, you don't have to dig deep into your wallet to make a difference. Most people have a bike or two they're not using," explains program founder, Rick Case, a local Honda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi dealer.

Case has set a goal of collecting and donating 10,000 bikes. Donated bikes should be in good condition and volunteers at area Boys and Girls Clubs and other local charities will distribute them. "It's a great way for kids and adults to actually get involved in the giving and learn how good it feels to help someone," describes Case, past Chairman of Broward County Boys and Girls Clubs.

Associates at each Rick Case dealership get involved with this annual charity program. Throughout the program's history, more than 100,000 bikes have been donated in Cleveland, Atlanta and South Florida. "That's a lot of happy kids," Case said.

The program began in 1982 at Rick Case's bike shop in Northeast Ohio. "The kids would come in and stare at those shiny new bikes, knowing they couldn't afford one of their own. I knew there had to be some way I could help," Case said. That year, Rick Case gave away 100 new bicycles to local kids in need and asked the community to donate any bikes they weren't currently using. That was the year that Rick Case Bikes For Kids was born. And 22 years later, the magic continues as mayors throughout the states of Florida, Georgia and Ohio celebrate this year's official Rick Case Bikes For Kids day in their communities.

If you'd like to help Rick Case Bikes For Kids spread some holiday cheer, the program makes it easy to get involved. Just bring your bikes to RICK CASE HYUNDAI or MITSUBISHI on the Bedford Auto Mile; or RICK CASE HONDA or HYUNDAI on I-90 at East 200th Street.

For more information, contact Angela Pecorino at the Rick Case Bikes For Kids National Headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at (954) 377-7419 or angelapecorino@rickcase.com.