Build A Bike collecting new & used bikes to give away to youth in community

One Central New York organization called Build A Bike is collecting new and used bikes, all for a good cause.

Build A Bike collects those bikes to repair and refurbish them and then give them away  to help out young people in our community.

It's crunch time for David Buck, the Build A Bike Coordinator.

"Today we just took in a shipment of over 500 bike helmets," said Buck.

The Build A Bike event is just over a week away now and they're still asking for the community's help.

"You look at the economy and tough times and you have to make a decision as a parent or caregiver. You have to make a decision of do I put food on the table or buy a bike. Those tough choices are made by parents and guardians these days," said Buck.

This will be Build A Bike's seventh annual event.

David says the non-profit organization's mission has grown significantly through the years.

Build A Bike started with a mere 25 bikes and last year alone gave away over 500 bikes to children.

"We fix them get them refurbished and get them ready to go. And a day in April on April 28th at the Utica Auditorium we will give them away for needy children in the community," explained Buck.

And all at no cost.

"It's being able to look at a kid and seeing a smile on their face when they get that new bike. I remember as a kid everybody you talked to you remember when you get your first bike. You always remember your bike," said Buck.

This year's goal is to give away 600 bikes.

They've received that many.

But David says it takes about 900 bike pieces and parts to give away 600 full bikes.

"Some of the bikes that come in, they don't have the right parts and some may be older so it's hard to get parts. To keep the costs down we take parts from one bike to work on another," explained Buck.

The Build A Bike event will take place next week on Saturday.

David says if you want to get involved, they're always looking for volunteers for the event.