Trips for Kids (TFK) today announced that Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles Inc. of Ramona, Calif., donated more than 50 used bicycles and bicycle frames to TFK to sell in its Re-Cyclery bicycle thrift shop. Profits from selling these bikes and frames will fund the mountain bike rides TFK hosts for underserved youth.
“We truly appreciate Ellsworth’s contribution to the Re-Cyclery shop,” said Marilyn Price, founding director of TFK. “About fifty percent of the budget for Trips for Kids International is supported by the shop’s revenues – this donation will help us continue those efforts. We thank Ellsworth on behalf of the kids we serve around the world.”
Ellsworth Bicycles acquired the used bicycles it donated through its “Economic Recovery Plan,” a program that allowed its customers to “trade-in” their used bikes to receive a $700 credit toward the purchase of a new Ellsworth bike or frame.
“We had an overwhelmingly positive response to this trade-in program,” said Paul Verdile, Ellsworth Bicycles sales and marketing manager. “Several customers who didn’t have used kids’ bikes bought new ones specifically to donate to Trips for Kids. We received 50 bikes for the kids when we only expected to receive 30 or 40.”
More than 50,000 disadvantaged young people have participated in TFK’s day-long cycling adventures that take them through nearby parks and outdoor recreation areas. In addition to vigorous outdoor activity, they also enjoy the encouragement of caring adults who teach them about the environment, the importance of healthy choices and satisfaction of accomplishing their goals.
