What better way to bring joy into the life of a kid for Christmas!

**Joe@Superior Shine** · 10-18-2018, 02:15 AM

My church, Christ Church of the Valley in San Dimas, Ca, holds an event called the Toy Store. This event is an opportunity for families struggling financially to come through and select items for their children.

In 2015 I came across 20 or so bicycles in the outdoor gardening section of Walmart marked down to half price. I thought it would be a great idea to buy the bikes and donate them to the Toy Store. I was willing to purchase a few but, I needed about $500 to buy all of them. I posted a photo of the bikes and a request for funds to help buy them on my facebook page. In less than 24 hours $1900 had come in!
I was able to buy the 20 or so marked down bikes as well as a number of brand new bikes. The total was 54 bicycles. All were donated to the Toy Store and given away to the children.

In 2016 we did it again and donated 152 bicycles for the Toy Store.
In 2017 we'd call our bike drive Bicycle Blessings and collected 260 that we donated to the Toy Store.

**Joe@Superior Shine** · 10-18-2018, 02:32 AM

My friends in the auto detailing industry are huge supporters of this event. Every year they have raised the majority of the funds to purchase bicycles.

AutoGeek has supported the bike drive from the very beginning. This year AutoGeeks C.O.O. Meghan Poirier suggested we have some fun this year and auction off items to raise money to buy bicycles.

Keep an eye on this post as lots of really nice things will be offered in the auctions. I will list more items SOON!

The first item up for auction is from our friends at Flex, The Flex VC-12 Stainless Steel Vacuum. The vacuum is just out and super quiet. You can find the auction here - Flex VC-12 Stainless Steel Vacuum | eBay

The second is from our buddy Chris West at Solutions Finish. Trim restorer kit for black and grey trim! You can find that item here - Trim Restorer kit by Solution Finish, Black and Grey | eBay

**Aaryn NZ** · 10-18-2018, 03:01 AM

This is such a great idea!

I'm getting older by the day, & sometimes it feels like I age twice as much in one day but I still cycle daily & I remember learning to ride & that feeling of freedom very well. My lil' Man Benjamin just got his first real bike this past weekend & seeing that little boy with that cheeky ear to ear grin when he realised that bike was his - melted my heart! Its a special feeling learning to ride, & even sweeter when you have a bike of your own.

Being in that position where you are the one that provides that feeling - well thats just heaven on Earth!

Joe, I cannot even think how special this event must be for you & everyone standing beside you making it happen, what an absolute gift. Thank you everyone involved!

Aaryn NZ.

**Joe@Superior Shine** · 10-18-2018, 03:14 AM

It is lots of fun. These kids are the best. One little boy asked for a large 26 inch bike. I explained it was too big for him. He told me that was wanted to get it for his father because his father had to walk to work every day. Heart of gold!