The Oakland County Sheriff's Office continues to collect bicycles (new, used, or in need of repair), bike accessories, tools, and parts for the Sheriff's Re-CYCLE for Kids program, which began in 2006. The Sheriff's Re-CYCLE for Kids relies of private partners like Dan Gutfreund Realty Group, 1-800-Self-Storage.com, and others to strengthen and grow the program. Additionally, a robust volunteer operation now assists with the work of refurbishing and repairing the donated bikes on an as-needed basis. The recycled bikes are distributed to families in need at events and by appointment. One of the few safe recreational, outdoor activities during the Covid-19 pandemic is bicycling so the Sheriff's Office was thrilled to be able to accommodate this growing need, especially during 2020's bicycle shortage.

In 2021, Sheriff's Re-CYCLE for Kids held a large-scale bike distribution event in the parking lot of United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) and gave out approximately 500 bicycles in partnership with the Attendance Heroes project, an effort to reward kids attending school in the Pontiac School District who have perfect or near perfect attendance in school. UWM' underwriting team has, for the past several years, supported the Attendance Heroes project by raising money and purchasing new bicycles for these deserving kids. Program partners like Ascension Health, Sheriff PAL, and the Oakland County Health Division, provide helmets, volunteers, and bike locks as well.

To learn more about the project, or to volunteer or support it, please contact Community Liaison, Mandy Ford, at 248-858-1947, or fordal@oakgov.com.

To donate a bicycle (new or used), they may be dropped off at any of the Sheriff's Office locations in Oakland County, or at the 1-800-Self-Storage locations in Troy or Oak Park.