Although the holidays are over, 57 local children have a special reminder of the joy of the season: a new bicycle thanks to the seventh-annual bicycle giveaway sponsored by the Charles County Sheriff's Office, the Bike Doctor and numerous citizen and business contributions.
Each year, the Sheriff's Office raises money for the bicycles and the Bike Doctor donates time and effort to order and assemble them for specially selected children who otherwise would not have received this special holiday gift.
"The Bike Doctor makes a significant contribution to this program during one of the busiest times of year for local businesses," said Charles County Sheriff Frederick E. Davis. "Without their help and the overwhelming contributions from businesses and citizens in our community, this wonderful program would not be possible."
Both boys and girls received bikes, and all bikes came with a helmet. The 57 new bicyclists ranged in ages from 4 to 15. They live in all parts of the County and were selected on a need-basis.
In addition to its gratitude for the more than $1,700 in donations from citizens and Sheriff's Office employees, the Sheriff's Office would like to thank the following businesses for their contributions:
Beacon Printing
Southern Maryland Cleaning, Inc.
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
Jimmy's Towing and Auto Service
Waldorf Lions Club
Waldorf Ford, Inc.
Gold's Gym (Body Works Fitness, LLC)
X.Y. Design and Testing
Mike's Sporting Equipment
Greater Waldorf Jaycees, Inc.
G&M Auto Service
Holiday Liquors
Thorton Funeral Home
Hugh C. Gardiner, Inc.
Cobb Island Gallery
Owen's Auto Body
Loyal Order of Moose, Waldorf Lodge 1709
Seidman and Schreyer, LLC
Bonini Enterprises, LTD
American Rental Management Company
N-Tieractive Incorporated
Cherrywood Development, LLC
Ray Messick and Sons Trucking
Bob's Market, Inc.
Photo: Community Policing officers Clarence Black, left, and Charles Smith thanked employees of Bike Doctor before heading out to deliver some of the bicycles.