Santa’s Bikes for Kids

How it started

Winter Equipment is based in Willoughby, in Lake County. We believe it’s important to serve those in need close to home. In 2008, we teamed up with The Salvation Army to add bikes to its Holiday Program. Founder and CEO Kent Winter organized the drive, and it has run every year since.

How it works

Donations open each fall. People can give a new bike, or give money that buys more bikes. In past years, crews from Winter Equipment, The Salvation Army and Walmart loaded the bikes onto trucks together. The Salvation Army’s Painesville location then hands them out to families around the county.

Local businesses also donate prizes for a holiday raffle at our headquarters in Willoughby. Every dollar from the raffle goes to The Salvation Army. In some years, Winter Equipment has matched what donors gave.

From past years

• 2008the first drive
• 109 bikescollected by mid-December 2014
• $4,000given by donors in 2017, then matched by Winter Equipment

2014 was the drive’s seventh year. By mid-December, it had collected 109 bikes and $5,000 toward an $8,000 goal.

In 2017, donors gave $4,000, and Winter Equipment matched it. That money bought bikes, clothing and tablets for local kids.

In 2018, the goal was 140 to 150 bikes.

How to give

The drive is still going strong, and every gift helps, whether it’s a new bike or a cash donation. Donations open in the fall, and the bikes go out before Christmas. To find out how to give this year, call us at 888-294-9485.

Thank you

Santa’s Bikes for Kids runs on the kindness of our neighbors. Thank you to every local business that has donated a raffle prize. Thank you, too, to every person and company that has given a bike or a dollar.

Frequently asked questions