For 5 years now numerous Tucsonans have donated $ to buy bikes for 500 underprivileged students in Tucson. This project has been spearheaded by community activist Jesse Lugo, who ran unsuccessfully for the Ward 5 seat on the Tucson City Council in the Democratic primary of 2001.
All info about this program at www.lugocharities.com. The give-away of these bikes is on December 13 at 11 a.m., with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Elks Lodge, 1800 N. Oracle Rd. in Tucson.
Lugo Charities Inc. and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 385 is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the 6th Annual “Bike In A Box” Christmas event on Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Elk’s Lodge that is located at 1800 North Oracle Road.
A special invitation to 500 under-privileged children selected from youth organizations, schools, churches, and children-support agencies in the Greater Tucson area will be attending this special day of giving.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 11:00 am to greet the children. Each child that has been pre-selected will receive one of five-hundred (500) bicycles that we are planning to give away, along with a bike safety helmet provided by Tucson Medical Center of the Children’s Miracle Network.
The bicycles will remain in the box so that the parents or guardians can, together with the child, assemble the bicycle in promoting the true Christmas spirit and teaching the children the basic assembly and adjustments to their new bike.
Radio political talk show host John C. Scott will be fundraising for this effort on November 20 and 21 on his Power Talk show 3 to 5 p.m. on KVET 1210 AM on the dial. LIVE CALL IN: (520) 750-7456.
Checks can be mailed to:
Lugo Charities, Inc.
Bike In A Box
P.O. Box 26363
Tucson, AZ 85726
Dropped by in the driving rain to witness a long line of very wet/cold families waiting patiently for their free bike in a box. It was heartbreaking to see how thinly dressed some of the children & adults were. Then it was worthwhile to see a happy father carrying away a bike with his children alongside him. Gave away an extra umbrella to an abuela using a cane. What a terrific project, but the weather was miserable for the pick up this year. Heard John C. Scott say on the radio yesterday that over $30,000 was raised for these bikes.
Latest update from Jesse Lugo – raised $29,500 and almost to their goal of $30,000. Bikes to be delivered to the kids this Saturday at the Elks Lodge at 1800 N. Oracle. Thanks to all who donated $ for these bikes.
Jesse Lugo updated this effort and almost $17,500 has been collected to date. Keep donating Tucsonans, online and via the mail.
Radio talk show host John C. Scott is reporting that on Thursday, they raised $9000 to $10,000, a similar amt. on Friday so they are reaching their $25,000 goal for 2014 for the bikes. Total raised to date $330,000 over 6 years. Stay tuned as Jesse Lugo will be on the radio show 1210 AM on the dial shortly w/ final figures. Donations still being accepted at http://lugocharities.com/. Lugo just reported that his charity has received over $16,000 to date, so please keep donating online or via check in the mail.