Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) —While the State Fairgrounds appear to be empty during the State Fair’s offseason, volunteers are still going every day. Not for reasons related to the fair, but to work for the CNY Bicycle Giveaway Foundation, a foundation that gives thousands of bikes away every year to local families that can’t afford them. It is facilitated by Jan Maloff, the foundation’s Corporate Officer.
The foundation became an official charity in 2007, but started before then. In their mission statement on their website, the foundation prides itself on providing bikes so families have an activity that they can do together, as well as an added benefit of a healthier lifestyle. They have partnered with local law enforcement to improve the relationship between the police and their community according to the foundation’s website. Gina Scaia has been volunteering for the foundation for multiple years and she said the foundation gave away over 4,000 bikes last year.
Scaia is able to embody the foundation’s purpose through a question which she gives with a smile, “Who doesn’t want a bike?”
However, the foundation is also asking for monetary donations. While bikes are the name of their game, they need additional donations to purchase products that can’t be found on a bike such as cleaning supplies to help refurbish them. With costs of resources such as oil rising, the foundation is in need of money as well as bikes.
Despite this, the foundation will continue to collect bikes until they are given away on December 17th at George Fowler High school starting at 10 a.m., so members of the local community can enjoy a holiday gift.