Cycling Community Information
Col Vento Cycling Donates New Bicycles for Good Sam Kids
On December 18th, 2009 Team Tailwinds (now Col Vento Cycling), provided local children the experience and joy of getting brand new bikes for Christmas. We organized a donation of 55 bicycles to children ages 6 – 13 years old to families that utilize the After School Program at Good Samaritan Shelter. The After School Program consists of all the children residing in Good Samaritan’s Emergency Shelter and Family Transitional Shelter Programs. Business partner Main Street Cycles provided the bikes, locks and helmets at a reduced price for this program. Each child at the Good Sam After School Program was fitted to the bike and helmet by the staff of Main Street Cycles and Team Tailwinds members. Team Tailwinds formed a partnership with the Good Samaritan Shelter, and garnered donations from several other organizations including the Santa Maria Police Officers Association, Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and Kardel Insurance Services amongst others support from the staff of Main Street Cycles.
Hans Kardel, Finance Director of Team Tailwinds, got the idea from member Jack Boysen, who was inspired by a similar program. “Each year Team Tailwinds sponsors a cycling related philanthropy. Quality bicycles for children participating in Good Samaritan’s programs are a natural extension of our bicycle racing and cycling team. Not only are bicycles fun to children, but also provide transportation, independence, fitness and responsibility,” said Kardel. Good Sam Executive Director Sylvia Barnard commented, “The bicycle program is such a special project, providing normalcy to children that have experienced instability in their homelessness. The bike program provides hope for stability for children that deserve it.”
The idea also joined with another unusual program that has been ongoing in Santa Barbara for several years. Inmates from Santa Barbara County Jail refurbish abandoned bikes annually.
The bikes were distributed to children who are now living in the community and transitioned from homelessness into self-sufficiency.
Several individuals and community groups have already stepped forward to provide funding for some of the bicycles. If you would like to make a donation to provide a bicycle for a homeless child this year, please contact Jack Boysen at Good Samaritan Shelter at 346-8185 or Hans Kardel at Kardel Insurance Services (805)922-5283
Sheriff’s Inmate Services Program – Commander Thomas Jenkins (805) 681-4249
Main Street Cycles – Scott Clark (805) 922-5577