Omaha’s newest nonprofit, Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) Omaha, is on a mission to help all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need.

FB4K Omaha is partnering with Baxter Auto to host its first-ever bike drop-off day on Saturday, October 8, 2022. The organization is asking metro residents to donate bikes they are no longer using by dropping them off at any of 14 Baxter Auto dealerships. Bikes of any size and in any condition will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day.

“We hope to receive 1,000 bikes at our inaugural collection event, and we’ll need Omaha’s help to do it,” said Kevin Thompson, FB4K Omaha board president. “All the bikes we receive will be cleaned, refurbished and safety-checked, and then we’ll work with other local nonprofits and youth groups to give those bikes out to kids in the community, at no cost to them.”

A brand-new helmet will be given with every bike, so kids can safely ride their bikes without delay. This also ensures no financial burden is placed on recipient families.

While FB4K Omaha is new, the organization has a nationwide proven track record. Free Bikes 4 Kidz originated in Minneapolis in 2008, and has given away 120,000 bikes in the last 14 years. Omaha is the 18th US city to open a chapter. The national organization has set a goal to be in 100 cities and to give away one million bikes by 2027.

Volunteers are integral to the organization’s success thus far. FB4K Omaha will need help from members of the metro community after the collection day to assist with all steps of bike cleaning and refurbishing. Those with any skill level are welcome to join the effort; bike repair experience is not necessary. Individuals or groups can sign up for shifts on the FB4K Omaha website. For individuals who want to get involved but don’t have time or a bike to donate, monetary donations are also accepted.

“It costs an average of $25 in supplies, parts and labor to get a donated bike cleaned, repaired if necessary, and to perform a thorough check of the bike’s components by a professional mechanic to ensure it’s safe for a kid to ride,” said Steph Dorland, FB4K Omaha board member. “Financial contributions allow us to get free bikes to Omaha kids, and any amount will help us reach our goal. We have a link to donate on the website, and donors can make a single donation or a recurring monthly contribution.”

Whether donating a bike or contributing financially, all donations are tax deductible. Bike donors will receive a tax receipt at the time of bike drop-off.

How to Get Involved
To donate a bike or make a financial contribution, visit www.fb4komaha.org/donate. To sign up to help clean and refurbish collected bikes, visit www.fb4komaha.org/volunteer.

Visit www.fb4komaha.org for complete details, or find us on social media (www.facebook.com/fb4komaha, www.instagram.com/fb4komaha, www.linkedin.com/company/fb4komaha). Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/fb4komaha.

For a list of Baxter Auto Dealership locations, visit www.baxterauto.com/locations