News

Actions

Local businesses donate hundreds of bikes thanks to their customers

Posted at 4:33 PM, Nov 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-11 17:49:20-05

Back Alley Bikes is feeling the love! It received a donation of nearly 200 bikes from The Shirt Box of Farmington Hills & Kenny's Lakes Area Auto Experts of Walled Lake.

Both businesses teamed up to collect the bikes from customers and the community over the last few weeks. It's the second year they've done this.

"It's been a great experience. We love giving back. It's been a wonderful thing," says Ron Elkus, co-owner of The Shirt Box.

The donations of bikes, in all sizes and conditions, will benefit Back Alley Bikes' Earn a Bike program. It gives bikes to kids under 10 years-old and those between 10 and 17 "earn" their bike by refurbishing them and learning about them.

It gives them a sense of ownership and empowerment.

"We so appreciate the customers who've donated the bikes. It's just the feeling of community and wanting to give back and in this day and time, it's great to give back," says Elkus.

Back Alley Bikes is on Cass Avenue in Detroit. To learn more about its programs, go to: http://thehubofdetroit.org/back-alley-bikes/