HALL COUNTY — Over the Christmas holiday, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office gave over 100 bicycles to children in need as part of its annual Christmas Bicycle Program.
From its humble beginnings in 1997, the program has grown each year with new bicycles destined to be what may be the only gifts some children in need receive.
The Court Services Division of the department organizes and facilitates the program and distributed more than 100 bicycles on Dec. 18, at the Hall County Courthouse.
Santa, his Deputy elves and Sheriff Gerald Couch were on hand to greet families and load up the new wheels.
Some of the highlights this year include:
- Exceeded $10,000 fundraising goal for program
- 102 new bicycles distributed
- 27 families assisted
- Bicycles for 23 foster children
- 100 helmets donated by Safe Kids Northeast Georgia
- Gift cards distributed along with bicycles with help from community partners
Planning for the program begins early each year and is funded through the Sheriff’s Show & Shine summer car show and donations from deputies and the community.
“Meeting and spending time with these families on Wednesday was worth more than any gifts we could help them with,” Sheriff Couch said. “From their stories about domestic violence, to the death of a household provider, we all should realize just how blessed most of us are. I’m thankful for the work of our staff in this monumental but worthwhile annual effort.”
