Oroville, CA (MPG) - The Butte County Sheriff's Office held its 20th annual bike giveaway last Friday, December 20th.                      

The event is always a joy for all involved. Those who help organize and man the event - BCSO Officers, BCSO STAR volunteers, members of Butte County Public Health, BCOE, BCSO Alternative Custody Supervision Program and more - look forward to the delight and excitement expressed on the children's faces as they receive their set of wheels.

This year, 80 new and refurbished bikes were collected via donation to be given out to children across Butte County. Offenders that are participants in the BCSO Alternative Custody Supervision Program and the BCOE Community Based Coalition Program, which helps members transition from incarceration back into the community, have worked for months to help refurbish bikes and get them in top-shape for the giveaway. 

The Butte County Office of Education identifies area children and invites them to the event, this year held at the Sheriff's Office East Facility at 3 Gillick way, in Oroville. The bike giveaway was a flurry of noise and excitement - the children hardly contain themselves as they waited to pick up their bikes. They were treated to goodies from volunteers, some getting “Sheriff” badge stickers, small stuffed toys or even dolls, and the opportunity fo a picture with Santa. But the main draw was the shiny bikes. Officers and volunteers educated them on the importance of safety, with all bikers being fitted with free helmets before they took their prize home and out for a spin.

In a press release, the Sheriff’s office said, "BCSO would like to thank BCOE, Butte County Public Health, BCSO STARS, ACS participants, BCBC participants, and Sensible Cyclery. We hope a new bike will bring joy to these children this holiday season.”