The Hollister Police Department and local nonprofit Hollister Gives Back teamed up this year to give away 77 bicycles and helmets to local children during the holidays.
The project started in May with the help of Alves Collision Center, Off The Chain Bicycles, Ace Hardware and a number of private sponsors.
Hollister Police Chief Dave Westrick said, “Every kid deserves a bicycle at least once in their childhood. Due to the economy and other factors, many local children do not have a bicycle of their own. Last May, I asked our community to help. The community and our sponsors provided about double the bicycles that we originally forecast. Hollister is a great community and really supports those in need.”
The Hollister Gives Back Bicycle Program provided bicycles to children in the city of Hollister but also included kids in the county. “No child should be left out in our community because I know the need is great, regardless of where the address,” Westrick said. “I personally delivered bicycles to San Juan Bautista and south county. It was so gratifying seeing the kids’ faces light up when they saw their new bikes.”
Children were selected based on need through different sources both in the city and county. School Resource Officer Michael Paddy, Community Service Officer Alex Oropeza along with volunteers led the Hollister Police Department’s efforts in delivering bicycles to needy children in the community.
“I want to thank all of our sponsors, community partners, employees and those that gave of themselves to help the kids of our community have a better holiday season,” Westrick said. “We will again ask for the community’s help next year with this project that supports our communities kids.”