18 years ago, a special initiative began – a bike giveaway benefiting area children. 

What actually started by a local businessman who owned a roofing company, has since blossomed into serving thousands of students.

Chris Kiefer, EVSC School Board Member and dean of three schools at Ivy Tech Community College, saw an opportunity to help children, when that roofing company owner who came to School Board meetings and gave away a few bikes, could no longer do so. Kiefer, and EVSC employee Dave Schutte hatched a plan.

Kiefer would fundraise and coordinate, and through a relationship with Pacific Cycle, Schutte would order the bikes and plan an event to distribute them.

Thus began the 18 years of the annual Bicycle Giveaway each summer.

Ivy Tech Community College for the years before the pandemic arrived, held a Public Safety Academy and through the 21^st Century Summer Programs in the EVSC, taught children about safety. In partnership with the bike giveaway – the schools selected children who had good attendance, were well behaved, and in need of a bike – to get one! In the last three years, another relationship developed with the Isaiah 1:17 Project Dream Cycles initiative. This year children in foster care also received bikes.

This year, 250 bikes were added to this growing event, to total 3,800 bikes given out over the years. Gerling Law provided helmets, and Ivy Tech provided bicycle locks, and hundreds of other organizations and businesses provided funding for the bikes.

“The spirit of generosity from donors who make this annual giveaway possible was on full display inside the gym at Harrison High School on June 20 this year when 270 bicycles were given away,” Kiefer said. “For many years the event took place in the auditorium at Ivy Tech. Over the years we have outgrown that location which was a great problem to have because it meant we were able to give away more bikes to more kids.

“Growing up in Evansville, I remember a childhood where extras like new bikes were not always possible. However, I appreciated the support we received during challenging times, there always seemed to be someone that guided and encouraged me to make good choices. As an adult, I’m committed to making a difference in the lives of those in need. So, this long running program has become a true passion of mine and the wonderful people involved because it is our way to give back to children in our local community. I truly believe, that It is possible to “make a difference in a kid’s life, one bike at a time,” he added.

If you would like to donate to the Bike Giveaway, please feel free to contact Chris Kiefer at Ivy Tech Community College for more information at 812-429-1449, or ckiefer@ivytech.edu