Release updated on 12-04-23 9:09 p.m.

Clip from event below.

Release posted on 12-04-23 at 8:43 a.m.

Annual Police Holiday Bicycle Event is Bigger than Ever!

St. Petersburg Police officers will give out 250 bikes to needy kids at a special holiday event held in the Police Dept. parking lot, Monday, December 4th. Officers and volunteers will unload the bicycles at 6:15 p.m. and the invited families will begin arriving at 7 p.m.

Interested media should enter the police parking lot through the 2nd Avenue North entrance closest to 16th Street.

***Please note these bikes are already matched with pre-registered children. ***

Officers will fit the kids with helmets, then the kids will pick out a bicycle, complete with a bike lock and bike lights.The bicycles were donated through the generosity of the St. Pete Fools Charities. They will also be providing food for all the attendees. Not only are they bringing cheer to children for the holidays, but they're also providing an opportunity for positive interaction between police officers and families.

This all started December 20th, 2019, when St. Pete Fools Club member Alex DeJesus spotted an officer buying a bicycle for a teen in the Walmart check-out lane. He offered to buy a 2nd bicycle for officers to give a second child. He returned to the Police Dept. three days later with a dozen more bikes.

In 2020, DeJesus and friends surprised us by donating 80 bikes, in 2021 he and the Fools Club Charities donated about 130 bikes and in 2022 they brought 200. This year they're bringing us 250 bicycles!