Be a spokesperson: Bicycle donations sought for Community Resource Center in Encinitas

This year the Community Resource Center of Encinitas expects to serve approximately 1,500 families at its 32nd annual Holiday Baskets event. While this event serves over 3,000 children in need, there are typically only 300 bicycles available for distribution for these youngsters.

To increase bicycle donations from the public, the El Camino Bike Shop, at 121 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, is collecting gently used bike(s) between now and Nov. 30. As part of this promotion, individuals who donate a bicycle receive a $25 gift card.

“Our goal is to provide an additional 100 bikes this year to Holiday Baskets,” said Will Schellenger, owner of El Camino Bike Shop. “Bring your used bike by and we will get it to CRC.”

Donated used bicycles are refurbished by local volunteers and then distributed on Dec. 19, 20, 21 to youth enrolled in Holiday Baskets.

More than 2,000 local volunteers and 200 groups and organizations help to collect and sort food, blankets, outerwear, toys, bicycles, baby items, and much more for the Holiday Baskets program. The program is a free shopping experience in a warehouse-like setting and is the largest distribution of its kind in the county.

“We could not continue our Holiday Baskets program without the help of such generous organizations like the El Camino Bike Shop. The Community Resource Center owes a great debt of gratitude to El Camino Bike Shop for stepping forward to help provide more bikes to our families in need for the upcoming holiday season,” said Paul Thompson, CEO of CRC.

For details on volunteering or donating items, visit www.crcncc.org, call 760-230-6304 or email info@crcncc.org.