TAMPA BAY – Bikes For Christ has reached its 3,000th bicycle milestone as it rolls into the 2025 holiday season, continuing its mission to change lives one bike at a time. The nonprofit is also closing in on serving 200 partner organizations across the Tampa Bay area.
Bikes For Christ provides bicycles to more than 150 organizations throughout Tampa Bay that directly assist clients in need. The ministry’s main focus is on veterans working to re-establish themselves, underprivileged children and individuals seeking a fresh start.
A simple gift of a bicycle can be life-changing, enabling a low-income parent to travel to work, attend parenting classes or visit a doctor. For children, it can mean a safe way to commute to school, attend tutoring sessions or reach their first job.
To celebrate the season and support its mission, Bikes For Christ will host its second annual Bicycles and Holiday Bells fundraiser from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at Belleair Towers, 1100 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Clearwater.
The event will feature photos with Santa, food, drinks, raffles, silent auctions, and a Family Fun Ride on the Pinellas Trail at 2 p.m. The afternoon will bring joy to the senior residents of Belleair Towers, while all proceeds go directly to Bikes For Christ’s ongoing programs.
This year marks the seventh year that Bikes For Christ has provided bicycles to underprivileged children at Bailey Elementary School. Since the program’s start, the organization has brought joy and opportunity to roughly 150 children during the Christmas season.
Each year, Bikes For Christ provides approximately 100 bicycles to veterans who are working to rebuild their lives and regain independence.
As the year comes to a close, Bikes For Christ is calling on the community to help sustain its mission into 2026. With growing demand for bicycles and transportation assistance, financial donations are urgently needed to continue providing hope and mobility to veterans, children, and families in need.
“Every dollar truly makes a difference,” said Pat Simmons, founder and president of Bikes For Christ. “A single donation can help us purchase parts, repair donated bicycles, and deliver hope to someone ready to move forward.”
Donations can be made securely online at Bikes4Christ.com/donations. All contributions are tax-deductible and directly support local program services.
